by Kris McGregor (Spirit Catholic Radio KVSS 88.9)
The Church in her great wisdom gives us the Gospel of John on this celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Instead of repeating the institution narrative, which we hear with every Eucharistic prayer, we are given a teaching that offers us the deeper meaning of the Eucharist.
The washing of the feet is not a miracle. (Or is it?) But it is one of Jesus’ supreme signs. It sums up His whole life and teaching. This action is so compelling that if we don't undergo it on some level, we will never really understand Him. We will never truly appreciate what is given to us in the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. It is to encounter the overwhelming nature of divine love; a love that is given, received and poured out for the sake of all. Without this encounter, we will never truly know the way to respond to our universal call to holiness.
In this passage, Jesus was once again turning his culture upside down. Feet-washing was normally done by slaves, children or wives. By washing the pollution of the day from the feet of men, Jesus humbles himself even more completely. In this humility, He loves His friends and betrayers with the same love that He shares with His Father. Peter rejects the invitation to have his feet washed by the Master because he doesn't understand it. He resists and rejects an act of supreme love. Peter feels shame, insecurity and unworthiness (perhaps not unlike Adam after the fall in the Garden?). Jesus persists and forces him to confront the darkest and deepest part of himself and calls him, along with all of us, to a new way of receiving love. At the same time, Jesus insists that this same act of love be shared with others. Through this washing, pollution is replaced by cleanliness. Through the persistence of divine love, Peter’s humiliation, and ours as well, is replaced by humility. Jesus says to all who follow Him “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” The light on the path of holiness now shows us the way.
Reflecting on the great mystery of this action St. Ambrose said:
“ I, then, wish also myself to wash the feet of my brethren, I wish to fulfil the commandment of my Lord, I will not be ashamed in myself, nor disdain what He Himself did first. Good is the mystery of humility, because while washing the pollutions of others I wash away my own. “
The Lord loves each of us unconditionally. His love has power to set us free to serve others with Christ-like compassion and humility. All the saints understood this mystery of self-giving love. It is the great response of Mary’s “fiat”. Does the love of Christ rule in your heart, thoughts, intentions and actions?
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help us to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion, kindness and goodness. Continue to help us in responding to our call to holiness"
The Gospel for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032008b.shtml#gospel
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