Your work saves others? Better to not wash any a
nd let God sort them out.
Like he promises in Scripture.
Woow, I should be niggardly with my mercies just in case someone unworthy gets some unearned grace? Harsh room.
I would say the act of humility is undertaken by the washer so about the only thing the "washed" get is clean feet and example to follow.
Our mercies to others do not confer God’s Grace, they reflect it in us.
The focus is wrong.
Perusing the first church fathers, they are in agreement that the washing of feet was for the Apostles alone.
They did not go out into the world and wash feet, nor did they encumber upon the church some “sacramental” rite of foot washing.
Certainly the members of the church were not to wash feet of fellow congregants or even those outside the church, as we do not see that today.
It is also found in the Scripture that the Apostles found this a very hard lesson to absorb
In the very same night and room, we have this:
Luke 22
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Jesus taught the Apostles, and all priests and pastors by extension, to serve those they have spiritual authority over.
To be humble in their service to others.
Not to go about “lording their authority” (the keys) over the parishioners.
The feet washing was the “ordination” of the Apostles by Christ Himself.
As we see today, men are to go through a period of learning/instruction before being properly ordained.