Maundy Thursday

John (13:1–15)

Before the feast of the Passover, Jesus realized that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to God. He had always loved his own in this world, but now he showed how perfect this love was. The Devil had already convinced Judas Iscariot, begot of Simon, to betray Jesus. So during supper, Jesus – knowing that God had put all things into his own hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God – rose from the table, took off his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. He then poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and dry them with the towel around his waist. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Rabbi, you are not going to wash my feet, are you?”

Jesus answered, “You do not realize what I am doing right now, but later you will understand.” Peter replied, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “If I do not wash your feet, you have no part with me.” Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Then, Rabbi, not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “One who has bathed is clean all over and only need to wash their feet – and you are clean, though not every one of you.” For Jesus knew who was to betray him. That is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After washing their feet, Jesus put his clothes back on and returned to the table. He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Sovereign’ – and rightly, for so I am. If I then – your Teacher and Sovereign – have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Reflection by Susan Russell

So what’s up with the footwashing?

One commentary I read reaches this conclusion: “Jesus was showing us that we are all equal when we gather around the table of the Lord. If the Creator could wash the feet of the created, should not the creatures wash the feet of one another in equality? And if Jesus saw himself in his creatures, shouldn’t we see him in each other?”

Does that mean we’re supposed to REALLY wash each other’s feet? Well, let’s look again at our criteria for primary sacraments in the church: We do it because Jesus told us to. (“given by Christ to His Church” in the loftier words of the catechism)

Baptism in Matthew 28: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Eucharist in Luke 22: And he took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body which is given for you. DO THIS in remembrance of me.”

And in Footwashing in today's gospel: John 13: So, then, if I — your Lord and teacher — have washed your feet, 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.

Could it be that part of the reason the “kingdom” hasn’t come yet is that the church missed the boat on what Jesus intended to be another primary sacrament “given by Christ to his Church”: the sacrament of servanthood? Sadly, examples are all too easy to find -- such as a newspaper article about a church edict forbidding women and children to participate in ceremonial foot washings on Maundy Thursday. It declared that the act of foot washing was symbolic of Jesus choosing an all male priesthood — therefore the ceremony would consist of twelve men from any congregation — no women and no children.

Can you imagine our Lord saying to his disciples gathered on the night before he was handed over to suffering and death: “A new commandment I give you: exclude women and children.”

I can’t imagine that – instead I imagine Jesus reading that news report, shaking his head in discouragement and saying, “What part of love one another don’t you understand?”

The priesthood of all the faithful: that’s the calling we ALL gather on Maundy Thursday to celebrate as we share with each other the bread and wine made holy. The priesthood of all the faithful — ALL the beloved people of God: not just the ones with white plastic around their necks and seminary degrees hanging on their walls.

And the more we remember that the closer we come to the kingdom.

During the week:

Can we – in this “out-of-the-ordinary” week – dare to claim that extraordinary calling?

Can we – each and every one of us – believe that God will give us the grace to obey this New Commandment – to walk in love as He loved us and gave Himself for us?

Can we even imagine what the church would look like if the “sacrament of servanthood” became a reality?