feet being kissed at the foot washing service

[benedictgal]

The point Jesus was making was humility. Just as Jesus told them, “if I your teacher have done this for you, so must you do it for each other.” He’s not talking about washing each other’s feet for the sake of purification from sin, but rather, that they are to be in humble service to one another. Keep in mind, earlier before this took place, James and John were bickering on who of them was the greatest, and then they went to Jesus and ask to be seated at his right hand, when he took his thrown in Heaven.

I disagree with the Pope, IF he is saying that the footwashing is a symbol of purification, from sin. Thats not what the Gospel presence us with. If it is as Pope Benedict says, according to your post, then the entire congregation should have their feet washed.

Jim

Jim, I’m not surprised that you would disagree with Pope Benedict; however, you are missing the whole point. Your interpretation places way too much emphasis on the horizontal and leaves nothing to the vertical dimmension. But, that is consistent with your posts. And, this is not to insult you, but, you do seem to put more importance on the horizontal aspect of things rather than the vertical.

The fact of the matter is that while there is definitely a service aspect to the washing of the feet, you are missing the point in Jesus’ act of humility. “Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God a thing to be grasped; rather, He emptied himself and took” on the likeness of a slave. Adam reached out and grasped the forbidden fruit. He took. Jesus, instead, took on the humble condition of sinful humanity.

Something else for you to note: the feet were considered the dirtiest part of the human body by the Jews because they came in contact with the dirt and the soil (as well as other less than savory things like dung and such). While the rest of the body was ritually purified, the feet had to be re-purified when a person entered the home. Jim, you and I were made clean by the waters of baptism; however, our spiritual “feet” still get dirty and need cleansing.

Jesus was cleansing the apostles physical and spiritual feet so as to prepare them for the Sacrificial meal. When we go to confession, we are made clean by the spiritual waters of the Sacrament of Penance.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Jim, I’m not surprised that you would disagree with Pope Benedict; however, you are missing the whole point. Your interpretation places way too much emphasis on the horizontal and leaves nothing to the vertical dimmension. But, that is consistent with your posts. And, this is not to insult you, but, you do seem to put more importance on the horizontal aspect of things rather than the vertical.

The fact of the matter is that while there is definitely a service aspect to the washing of the feet, you are missing the point in Jesus’ act of humility. “Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God a thing to be grasped; rather, He emptied himself and took” on the likeness of a slave. Adam reached out and grasped the forbidden fruit. He took. Jesus, instead, took on the humble condition of sinful humanity.

Something else for you to note: the feet were considered the dirtiest part of the human body by the Jews because they came in contact with the dirt and the soil (as well as other less than savory things like dung and such). While the rest of the body was ritually purified, the feet had to be re-purified when a person entered the home. Jim, you and I were made clean by the waters of baptism; however, our spiritual “feet” still get dirty and need cleansing.

Jesus was cleansing the apostles physical and spiritual feet so as to prepare them for the Sacrificial meal. When we go to confession, we are made clean by the spiritual waters of the Sacrament of Penance.

I think Pope Benedict, is using the story more in a parable format, than the interpretations that scholars generally use. In this sense, I agree, but the fact is, its not the message Jesus was teaching. After reading what you posted, I went to my Catholic Bible commentary, and it interprets the event in line with the aspect of humble service, rather than a ritual of purification, which it was not. As you point out, washing of the feet in Jesus time, was a custom, but it was done by the servants of the house, This is why Peter protested in having his feet washed, it was the job of a servant, not of a master. Read what Jesus says after he finished washing their feet, John 13:12-17. He clearly explains that He being their teacher, did this lowly service to them, as an example that they must follow. He mentions notiong about it being a rite of purification.

Humility and service toward one another, is following the commandments Jesus gave us, to love our neighbor as ourself. This is not horizontal as you state it, but rather, vertical, because God can not be grasped, except through love. Without humility, love can not be real.

If we only focus on the vertical love for God, we only do half of what Jesus told us to do.

Jim

 

[scylla]

If we focus only on the vertical we ignore our service to others, our love of others, yet it seems we have put the horizontal first.
If we focus primarily on the horizontal, then we end up serving ourselves, as is evident in the mess many see on Holy Thursday.

We need to do both, serve God then others, the important part is serve God first. The vertical then the horizontal, with primacy to God, as God comes first.

So our evidence of this is how we conduct the liturgy and imitate Christ. The priest imitates Christ and reflects this in washing the feet of 12 men who serve as images of the apostles.

We take this in and imitate this in our lives.

To do otherwise is to oppose the decision of Christ in His actions, to put style, culture and pleasure above obedience. It sure feels good to have everyone wash each others feet. It would feel good to have my daughter doing something like that, she likes to act. I like to act also and I would feel good washing others feet as it shows humility, but I am not a Priest and it would be an insult to Christ for me to do so.

Unfortunately with the lack of Catechesis, the attack on tradition as a reflection of truth and the attack on the dignity of the clergy, we see it common to assert ourselves in what we want to do over what we should do.

Serving God not only involves loving and serving others, but first is expressed in respecting the decisions of Jesus, respecting the clergy and Church properly.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[JimR-OCDS]

scylla

If we focus only on the vertical we ignore our service to others, our love of others, yet it seems we have put the horizontal first.

We rarely put our worship in the horizontal and it reflects in our society and even in this forum.

We are a society where people don’t even know who their neighbor is. People today know more about the person they chat with on the Internet, then the person sitting next to them in church.

Even in this forum, its, don’t hold hands during the Lords prayer. women need to be excluded from, the readings, EMHC, foot washing as expressed in this thread, and anything to do with parish life, except perhaps, decorating the alter.

People complain about the people who play the music at Mass, or minster the cup. The complain about girl alter servers, or and old man talking in Church, or God forbid, the choir practicing before Mass, and at the same time, demand perfection in the music. Go figure!

People want the vertical aspect of the Mass, they want a “me and God” relationship, and not only are apethetic toward friendship with their neighbor, they out right reject it. We do the vertical, we fail miserably at the horizontal, and in God’s eyes, negates all else.

We come together at Mass, more often than not, as a community of strangers, rather than a community of friends.

“Love one another, as I have loved you,” the words Jesus left us with. Do we really do it?

Jim

 

[Cabin4]

decorating the alter

The folks at my parish were complaining about that as well…they said that maybe one of the deacons whould take it over!

I feel that one day, I will head off to mass and they will have me sit in the back, as the men will have reserved seating in the front…

ug.

 

[scylla]

Hmm, it seems that we have drifted onto another subject which is fine since it is all inter-related.

The community, and popular culture…
Why must feeling like being involved these days involves external actions. Jesus did the work, we rejoice in His eternal sacrifice for us and we honor His work by offering our Sacrifices to Him at Mass, not in how much time we spend in front of everyone else.

Does this leave out the community? No, if we are united in prayer focused on God, we are one community worshiping together. If I want to socialize and spend some time interacting with other people that is why we should have activities outside of the parish.

Why can’t we have picnics after every Mass? Potluck lunches, a nice gathering space outside for everyone to spend time together. This is where my daughter can dance and play with other kids, I can share some food with others, chat and socialize. Where men and women are mingling and entertaining each other in good Christian fellowship.

Our society has ingrained a sort of desire to always want attention and interaction that should be suppressed a bit when we come together for worship.
This is not about women’s rights, men’s rights, laities rights, it is about giving God the honor first and putting humility above pride. (don’t let the culture influence humility)

Christ is the center of the Mass we can see this in the Priest serving us in the person of Christ, and representing the actions of Christ, as faithfully and humbly as we should recognize His actions as worthy of imitation.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Halo]

Again, I think it is very sad that the emphasis on Holy Thursday night is the washing of feet and not where it should be and that is "on the Institution of the Eucharist. Holy Thursday night is the night when the apostles were made Bishops and Christ said the First Mass. We should all be focusing on that, and not the foot washing.

 

[Lolek]

First, feet are only washed, not kissed. If that has happened, it’s a new one! Second and most important, it is the priest only who washes the feet - imitation of the action of Jesus at the Last Supper. No lay person should be doing that. (We’re talking about the Holy Thursday Mass.)

I watched Pope John Paul (Blessed in one week Hallelulia!) KISS the feet of the priests he washed at the Solemn Mass of the Last Supper in Rome!

 

[Lolek]

Yuck! Would not want to do it or see it done! Where do these people get these weird ideas? Just follow the rubrics./QUOTE

Servant of God (Blessed in about a week) Pope John Paul II used to kiss the feet of the priests…you can google the image if you want to see it - I thought was a profound and beautiful gesture of humility from a very very holy man!

 

[Halo]

I agree totally. That is indeed all that you say it is.

The washing of the feet of 12 men as symbolic of the washing of the feet of the 12 apostles is also fine. What I have the gripe with is the washing of the feet of the entire congregation.
I should have made that clear. Thank you.