Washing Our Neighbors' Feet

In just about two weeks, we're going to be entering into the Tridiuum, one of the most solemn periods of the Catholic liturgical year. I've always had a strong love for the Tridiuum because I enjoyed participating in the events of Holy Week, either as an altar server, sacristan, or just in the pews. This year though, I have a new-found appreciation for the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday.

On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Passover meal where Jesus instituted the Mass, and also where He washed the feet of His apostles. John 13:2-8 shows this:
"...so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”"

Knowing that His disciples didn't understand why He had washed their feet, Jesus explained:

"When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them.
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."" (John 13:12-17 NIV)

"You also should wash one another's feet." That line is so simple yet so profound. I used to read that and cringe at the idea of washing someone else's feet. I couldn't understand why Jesus told us to do that. Feet are dirty and sweaty and smelly. I didnt want to even think about touching someone else's feet. Then I washed someone's feet for the first time, and all of a sudden it made sense.

It's a sign of love and humility.

Jesus loves us and wants us to share His love with each other. He washed the feet of His disciples as a sign of His love for them and to show them that while He was their Teacher, He was among them, not above them. He wanted to show them that in the Kingdom of God, everyone is equal.

When I worked as a nurse aide, I felt "less than" the nurses I worked alongside. After all, they had studied nursing, and here I was, working as a aide after all of two weeks of training. If I felt "less than", I can't imagine how my patients felt, having to rely on myself and my coworkers to carry out tasks as simple as getting washed up.

Most of my patients were elderly, and probably hadn't been flexible enough to really wash their own feet in at least a few years. I remember the first time I washed the feet of one of my patients; she almost started crying. No one had ever washed her feet for her before. I wasn't doing anything special, all I had was a soapy washcloth and fresh socks. The water wasn't even particularly warm because it was nearly impossible to get warm water on the floor she was on. But the fact that I took the time to wash her feet? That made her feel seen again. That helped to show her that we cared about her, not just as another patient, but as a person.

Everyone deserves to feel seen and loved and equal. That's what Jesus was telling us to do when He told us to wash each other's feet. Now, we don't specifically have to wash feet. There's so many ways to see and love our neighbors. We could make a meal to bring them, or shovel their sidewalk in the winter, or mow their lawn in the warm weather. Even something as simple as sending them a nice card when we know they're going through struggles is enough to show our love for them.

This Holy Week, how are you going to wash your neighbors' feet?