Posted on 04/22/2017 5:21:54 AM PDT by Salvation
Washing of feet
Question: I fled one parish over its strange observances of the foot-washing ceremony (and other liturgical abuses). The parish I am in now is better, but lo and behold, at the foot washing, they are planning to dismiss everyone to the church basement for a service project of sorting canned goods, washing their hands as they return. Why do such strange things persist?— Name and location withheld
Answer: The idiosyncrasies that continue to surface regarding the foot washing are indeed a continuing problem in the Church. That the Lord intended this gesture to be a sign of love and unity makes such diversions from the liturgical norms all the more troubling. Instead of being a unifying sign consistently celebrated throughout the Church, it has become a matter of rather heated debate and even of “one-upmanship.” As such, it becomes a countersign.
The hymn Ubi Caritas, which the Church requests be sung at the Holy Thursday liturgy, has a verse that speaks against the very kind of division the abuse of this rite has sadly generated: “Where charity and love are, God is there. As we are gathered into one body, beware, lest we be divided in mind. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease, and may Christ our God be in our midst.”
As for the reasons for the liturgical inventiveness, it likely stems from the perceived oddity of the sign. Even at the time, Peter experienced surprise at it. Though foot washing was common then, in an honor-based culture, it was unthinkable for the head of the household to do it. For us, the oddity of the sign is for different reasons. The washing of feet is remote to our modern and Western experience. We just don’t do anything like it. And thus, one can see a human tendency to try and modernize the sign and make it more relevant to our experience. But such tendencies should be resisted both for the sake of charity and continuity. We ought to allow the Lord’s chosen signs to speak to us still and adapt to them, not force them to adapt to us. And this is the Church’s instinct. Even though certain external aspects of the liturgy, such as language, may need to adapt, the fundamental reality and signs of that reality are not in our power to change.
Monsignor Pope OSV column Ping!
I didn’t know this was so common.
I am still trying to find a church that doesn’t print up envelopes with your name on it for the collection basket.
They monitor who and how much is being donated, and yes - those people are certainly treated differently. I’ve been staying home these past few sundays.
When the sermons are about tithing, and all they do is use that info for social standing - I’m not happy.
Uh-huh....
We ought to allow the Lord’s chosen signs to speak to us still and adapt to them, not force them to adapt to us.
they are planning to dismiss everyone to the basement for a service project of sorting canned goods, washing their hands as they return.
I have done foot washing for my wife it is a very personal thing, not institutional
On a serous note, when every ANYTHING become institutionalized there is danger. We have too much institution in both R and P. The thing in the basement should also be personal.
God works very much on a personal lever through reading his word and sometimes there is even a foot rub but most often a kick in the butt. (because he loves us)
Historically, how common was the liturgical practice? Was it only the pope who washed the feet of cardinal deacons? Did your local bishop perform the service? Did the parish priest?
Our priest washed people’s feet. I’m pretty sure that the Archbishop did too, I just can’t find the pictures.
'I do this with my heart,' Pope says before washing inmates' feet
The Birthday of the Chalice (Maundy Thursday)
Young Inmates Eager for Holy Thursday Mass With Francis
The Fourth Cup
The Last Supper and the Forgiveness of Sins
Benedict XVI’s sermon for Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
The Mandatum of Love (meaning of Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Significance of Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
A Christian Passover Seder for Holy Thursday (or tonight)
The significance of Holy Thursday (institution of the Eucharist and priesthood)
Holy Thursday: The God who Washes Feet
Holy Thursday and the washing of the feet [Mandatum]
The Hunt for the Fourth Cup
Great and Holy Thursday [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, Shire Thursday
Holy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
HOMILIES PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER ON HOLY THURSDAY IN 2004 AND 2005.
Paths to Rome: Washing of Feet on Holy Thursday
Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday And More on Days of Abstinence
Reflections for Maundy Thursday: The Carrying of the Cross
Past Not Over (Why Passover is the most widely observed holiday.)
The Chrism Mass
Celebration of a Family Seder Meal
Washing the Feet of Men Only on Holy Thursday
ALTAR OF REPOSE - Catholic Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
Catholic Caucus: Maundy (Holy) Thursday
The Fourth Cup: The Sacrament of the Eucharist [Holy Thursday] [Passover]
Holy Thursday - When the moon is full
Thanks for the links. I guess my question should have been “Would a Catholic who learned his faith prior to Vatican II have recognized any of this?” Did Joe and Mary Flanagan going to church on Holy Thursday in the Bronx in the 1930s have experienced this?
I’m the bookkeeper of our church and I’m really unsure why they use envelopes except for Tax information for the giver. Another person records all of that info but I can tell you out of the 6 priests I’ve worked with not one has ever come in and asked for any info on who gives what and that info doesn’t go to the diocese. It is on a computer that they don’t even have access to.
The only time any info is given out is to the person who uses envelopes and requests it, so about 25 people in the whole parish.
Honestly, envelopes just add more work. The counters have to open each envelope and if the amount or the check number isn’t written on the envelope do that, then it has to be recorded and the envelopes kept for 3 years all for IRS reasons. We have a small parish and it costs us over 2K a year for the envelopes.
What you might see in the difference of treatment is parishioners who have always been active in the parish. I don’t use envelopes myself nor do most of my friends. I don’t use them simply because I don’t itemize and don’t need that info and I don’t want to contribute to the cost and the added work to the church.
There is only one time during the year when they are even mentioned and that is when we get the new ones or if you are a new register in the parish, they ask if you want them.
I believe it was humility only God was meant to take up.
Hence, for me, “There endeth the lesson”.
Why don’t you just throw some cash in?
I have experienced this just once. It was voluntary. The pastors, pastors wives, and children did the ceremonial washing.
The day of the week wasn’t important. The experience was humbling. The mind picture of Jesus washing MY feet.
John 13: (NKJV)
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
How you can turn this Holy example of humility into some “religious”, legalistic, performance is embarrassing!
You are embarrassing JESUS!
Arguing over the shape and size of the tables while rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic with some of you playing Nearer”My God to Thee” on the flute.
Pure Religiosity. You just can’t see the forest, for the trees.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
(and washed feet in your name, on Holy Thursday)
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Don’t ask the priest, don’t ask the pope, ask Jesus and The Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s Word.
Don’t “memorize” it, UNDERSTAND it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.