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Gospel: John 13: 16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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In Jesus’ day, it was customary to have a servant wash the feet of guests before they entered a person’s home. There was a practical reason for it. People didn’t drive on well paved roads like we do today; they walked along dry, dusty paths, often strewn with pebbles.
Entering a person’s home with feet covered in dust would be an insult.
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However, there is also a spiritual dimension to foot washing, which is why John includes it in his Gospel. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke who focus on the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, John focuses on the washing of the feet.
It was a rite of passage into a person’s home – a sign of welcome, even intimacy. By extension, it also served as the rite of passage for Peter and the others into the Church, and into the priesthood.
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In baptism, we’re all welcomed by the Lord into the Church.
And when we stray – when our feet become dusty – he absolves venial sins at the beginning of each Mass. As the Mass begins, the priest pauses, inviting those present to, “Call to mind our sins.”
Then we hear those words, “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.”
Perhaps we can spend a moment with the Lord today in gratitude, knowing that every time we return to the Church, Jesus kneels down and washes our feet.
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Image credits: (1) Madox Ford Brown, Washing of the Feet (2) Ibid. (3) Marckinna – WordPress