Posted on 07/16/2005 8:19:18 AM PDT by Salvation
The woman (traditionally, Mary Magdalene) washing Christ's feet is remarkable for another reason as well. Washing the feet of a stranger was a common courtesy in Palestine. As Jesus insists on the ritual to be followed to benefit Him, he tells us, and to our distractors in the Protestant tradition, that ritualistic behaviors in themselves are not only acceptable but reguired by God.
Let us recall the parable of the guests at the wedding. One group of guests, representing the Gentiles, is invited, and some of them come dressed inappropriately. The Gospel does not attach any other, more metaphysical guilt to those guests beyong the lack of outward respect. Yet, they are the gentiles ejected from Chirst's wedding banquet.
When someone tells you that the Catholics are foolish to stand by their rituals and customs, tell them that we don't ask anything less than what Christ asked.
I appreciate all the lovely artwork that you post to this thread, annalex.
One Bread, One Body bump.
Catholic Culture bump.
Simply wonderful!
"The Word Among Us" bump.
It's hard when we're in a holding pattern in life. Will God's promises ever come our way?
That's a line from a song sung by country artist Jo Dee Messina. It struck me as appropriate to the discussion of "Waiting well for God's timing". (I'm listening to the free broadcast of Jamboree in the Hills by WOTV-Steubenville OH, which I can pick up on my TV with rabbit ears.)
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