Have you ever wondered why it is that on this night that commemorates the institution of both the priesthood and the Eucharist, our Gospel is about foot washing?
We would expect perhaps to have a passage from Matthew, Mark or Luke related to the bread and wine of the Last Supper. Instead, we’re given the washing of the feet. In the Gospel of John we are given an example where Jesus turns things upside down through a tremendous act of humility.
The Master washes the feet of the servant.
This is the last thing the Disciples expected. And, as always, Jesus is unveiling a God who does the unexpected. Peter is stunned, “You will never wash my feet!” But Jesus shows that the transformative power of His love is most effective when turned into humble service.
Let me say that again ….. Jesus shows that the transformative power of God’s love is most effective when turned into humble service.
In the washing of the feet, Jesus turns the Mantle of Privilege that comes from being the Son of God into an Towel of Service transforming the world with humble love.
Humble Love. Steadfast Love. Tender Compassion. Rachamim – רַחֲמִים – the love of a parent for their child who is suffering.
Or as we know it in English – Mercy
Jesus shows us that when we recognize Him in the Eucharist; when we have internalized Him in our lives; then we most powerfully make Him truly present to our world by the simple act of washing feet; simple acts of service that make Jesus real.
Did you ever wonder why those called to Holy Orders are first ordained to the Diaconate? to be Deacons? The word Deacon comes from the greek diakonia, meaning service. And those called to Holy Orders are first and foremost called to be Deacons – to be ministers of service to the community. Did you ever wonder why the stole we wear as Deacons crosses over and hangs from our side? It is a symbolic representation of a towel. It reminds us that we are called to ‘wash the feet’, to be of humble service to those in need. Some remain as Deacons, living our lives in the service of others. Like Michael and I. And others go on to be ordained to serve as Priests, like Bob and Miro.
But they don’t leave that diakonia, that service of others, behind. It goes on with them. Even if they go on to be ordained as Bishops. Even if they go on to be Pope. The image and standard of Holy Orders is the servant on his knees washing the feet of others.
But today is not just the anniversary of the establishment of the priesthood, it is the anniversary of the establishment of a ministry
to which we are all called.
Because you are called to be servants just as much as I am. Or Michael. Or Bob. Or Miro.
Washing the feet was the work that the lowest slaves did for the masters. It was considered beneath the dignity of most servants and slaves. But Jesus stooped down to do that task, and then told his disciples “As I have done, so you also must do.” He tells all of us here “As I have done, so you also must do.”
Jesus stoops down from the height of his divinity and serves his own creature. He descends so that we can ascend. He becomes our slave to destroy our slavery to sin, the barrier that keeps us from God.
He asks us to stoop down as well.
He elevates us into divine communion with Him, so that we too can descend and reach out to others. God comes to serve us, so we must serve the least of society.
We are all called to give something of our time, our energy, our love, to those who count for nothing, to those whose God-given dignity is still veiled, still hidden to the eyes of the world. We are all called to go and serve those in chronic poverty.
We are all called to reach out to battered women, to the handicapped,to the refugee, to the dying, to the unborn, those who are nobodies in the eyes of the world. We are all called to allow ourselves to be broken and poured out for the world, the way Jesus was broken and poured out. We are all called to give our lives – our body and blood – for the service of others .
We are all called to be servants of God, willing to wash the feet of others.
(if you look carefully, you will see the Pope wearing his stole in the style of Deacon)