More Than Just Service (Holy Thursday 2022)

The Letter to the Philippians (2:7) described how Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a slave which is interpreted as that of Christ “coming down” from his divinity taking on our humanity.

The word “slave” evokes the act of Jesus during the Last Supper in connection with the washing of the feet, which in the Jewish culture is considered as a most humiliating act.

In fact, Hebrew masters are prohibited from ordering their Hebrew slaves to wash their feet.

In the Mekilta de-Rabbi Ishmael (Tractate Neziken) it is stated “the sages said: A Hebrew slave must not wash the feet of his master, nor put on his shoes on him… For it is said: But over your brethren the children of Israel ye shall not rule, one another, with rigour.”

In a society where “honor and shame” is normative, this humiliating act is reserved for the Gentile slaves, the lowest of the slaves. Although, it should be noted that wives are permitted to wash the feet of their husbands and disciples to wash the feet of their masters.

Thus, we can understand the reaction of Peter when he refused to be washed by Jesus, his Master.

Benedict XVI described the gesture of the washing of the feet as an expression of the “servant-love of Jesus that draws us out of our pride and makes us fit for God, makes us clean.”

In the theology of Benedict, the washing of the feet is related to the sacraments that make us clean namely: baptism and confession.

After initially refusing to be washed by Jesus, Peter said that he wants to be washed with his whole body.

Jesus said that those who took a bath need not be washed again but only their feet.

Commentators interpreted this as Jesus’ allusion to “baptism” as the cleansing of the whole body.

Those who were baptized are already cleaned and there is no need to repeat it.

Jesus emptied himself to save humanity from sin. In this way, the washing of the feet is more than just a ritual signifying the ministry of “service” it has the nuance that humble service connotes forgiveness.

Only those who are truly humble, and forgiving can “empty” themselves and serve others authentically.