Holy Thursday: The God who Washes Feet

On this Holy Thursday as we begin the great Triduum, the Three Days, we will read this wonderful account in the Gospel of St. John which reveals the depth of the Love of Jesus Christ and invites us into to a new way of living our lives now in Him:

"So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist… So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

How extraordinary! The God who fashioned the entire universe, who dwells in inaccessible light, is now present as a Man among men; serving the very humanity that had been created through Him.

Where this custom comes from is a common belief that is peculiar to all semitic groups, which of course Jews are part of, is that the filthiest part of the body are the feet. Which is why tossing shoes at a person is considered a grave insult. When Christ did this during that time it was considered an act of great humility and that a “teacher” doing such a thing shocking.http://www.theusmat.com/islamandfreewill.htm

If only we could teach this mentality of servanthood to those who profess in Christ and then teach them to take that to their neighbors and work place. For anyone reading this, stay on this scripture for a day or two, maybe fast something one day and pray and ask God to give you a passion for those closest to you. I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. Maybe there is something we could make right with our wife, husband, daughter, son. Maybe there is a hurtful tendency we are convicted about that we know hurts someone close to us. Ask God to take it away. Resolve to eliminate it from your life. Ask someone to hold you accountable. Then when if you feel led wash the feet of the person it affects the most after you have asked them for forgiveness. Imagine what would happen if by Easter, 1000 people washed the feet of their wife or husband, son or daughter. From that point on you become the figurative foot washer of that person. Love them and serve as you never have. Heal your family. Then go and be the figurative foot washer of others. Start with your home first then go to others. Be the greatest man your wife has ever met. Be the greatest woman your husband has ever met.

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