Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday 

            One of the most beautiful ceremonies we perform today is the washing of the feet. The Church wants us to witness again what happened at the last supper, not to forget the example of the Master. Saint John begins this chapter in is his Gospel saying that Jesus “having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John is the beloved apostle who had the best access to Jesus’ heart. The washing of the feet is a straight manifestation of the message of the Gospel. It helps us to peek into Jesus’ heart and discover immensurable riches.

            John is the only evangelist that writes about what happened. The other authors of the Gospels, either forgot about it, or they thought it was not a good idea to mention it. For the apostles this action was a scandal, to witness their rabbi washing their feet, something only reserved for slaves. It would be for us like discovering our bishop begging on the streets, collecting rubbish or washing public toilets. Something improper to his dignity. This is why Peter asked not to have his feet washed. He couldn’t admit that the Lord lowered himself to such an undignified level, the feet signifying the lowest part of the body. We can imagine years later, Peter understood the meaning of Jesus’ action, embarrassed and contrite by his human reaction. We too, many times, feel that we have let people down, thinking too much about our own dignity and worth.

            For us priests this ceremony is a very moving moment during the Holy Week. We take off our chasuble, feeling a bit naked in front of everyone, putting on an apron, taking a towel, and kneeling down to wash people’s feet. We feel like Jesus hiding his divinity and taking our humanity. After the washing some priests kiss people’s feet, mind you they are clean, thinking that Jesus did the same even though is not mentioned by John. Jesus loves us so much that he is ready to show it physically.

            We normally choose 12 men to imitate what Jesus did. Some parishes find twelve poor people and also feed them. Once in the parish where I was working, the priest decided to put hot water in a thermo flask, to keep it warm. He forgot that the element was right under the basin and the thermo is very good at keeping the water hot. The following day he was complaining how the men jerked their feet when he poored down the water. He couldn’t see the steam coming out. The ankle is a very sensitive part of the body. The following year we had problems getting men to commit themselves. We called it the burning of the feet.

            When Jesus finished washing their feet, he sat down and told them: “You also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Washing people’s feet is an expression of the extent of the level we have to lower ourselves, to help our brothers and sisters. We should do what Jesus did. He did it physically for us to have a graphic example. We normally do it morally.

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