Washing of Feet

[st_julie]

Our Priest tonight talked about how foot washing was a great act of humility and service because of how filthy feet could get.
My question is…Would the apostles and Jesus not have washed their feet at the door before entering the Upper Room?

 

[diggerdomer]

Maybe. Maybe not (given the Gospel story, the latter seems preferable).

Why do you ask?

 

[st_julie]

Maybe. Maybe not (given the Gospel story, the latter seems preferable).

Why do you ask?

It was a question that popped into my mind at Mass so I brought the question to the best place.

 

[diggerdomer]

It was a question that popped into my mind at Mass so I brought the question to the best place.

My understanding is that most/many houses would have had servants to wash the feet .I don’t know if this was widespread or not. I think this is key to the story and to our liturgy (and what is not key imho is whether men or women have their feet washed, as the US Bishops teach).

 

[teachccd]

I think that the message here is that Jesus humbled Himself to become a servant as we are to do for others. The condition of the Apostles’ feet is irrelavent when one understands that in those days the slaves washed the master’s feet. He who made the moon and stars bows down to wash your feet…teachccd

 

[diggerdomer]

I think that the message here is that Jesus humbled Himself to become a servant as we are to do for others. The condition of the Apostles’ feet is irrelavent when one understands that in those days the slaves washed the master’s feet. He who made the moon and stars bows down to wash your feet…teachccd

amen!

 

[joshua1]

I was one of the chosen ones to get their feet washed last night and I must admit, I washed my feet and made sure my toenails were all trimed before I left for church. I even made sure I was was wearing clean socks without holes.

 

[NotWorthy]

A quick thought on the washing of feet:

Earlier in the Gospels, at the Baptism scene, John the Baptist made the comment that he was unfit to loosen Jesus’ sandals. This role of untying and tying up someone else’s sandals was one of the lowest roles in Jewish society. A Jewish slave, or servant, could turn down a request to loosen his master’s sandals without fear of retribution. A Gentile slave, however, was required to perform this task if demanded. That’s how lowly one had to be before you were required to do this.

Now, with this in mind, think of how much baser it is to have to wash someone’s feet. That’s how low our Lord stooped to lift those up with Him in the washing of the feet.

One must humble himself and serve others. Or as Paul says, *one must to die to himself and be raised in Christ *(paraphrasing).

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .

Now, with this in mind, think of how much baser it is to have to wash someone’s feet. That’s how low our Lord stooped to lift those up with Him in the washing of the feet.
. . …

When archbishop Clavel was exiled from Panama he resided for a while in our parish before moving up to diocesan staff . He not only washed our feet one year; he then kissed each foot. It was very sincere and not for show; he was a very humble man.