Clericalism vs. the Washing of Feet

Over at What Does the Prayer Really Say there’s a fair amount of clericalism on display from many quarters. At issue is the washing of feet in the Catholic ritual for Thursday in Holy Week (also called “Maundy Thursday” after the mandatum, or “new commandment” given by Jesus). As Fr. John Z. points out, the footwashing rite is “optional.” But if you exercise the option, you better do it right–only the priest can do the washing and only of a group of select males.

Many of his readers go further, and suggest only priests should have their feet washed, or only males on their way to priesthood.

One fellow thinks the ritual “silly,” and is “not sure what symbolism the faithful are supposed to come away with, except some vague social justice theme.”

Another responds to him: “The symbolism we are supposed to come away with is that this is the night that Christ established a new order of priesthood, separate from that of Aaron.” He references the Old Oligarch.

What saith the Scripture?

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

In light of the text, this whole debate seems ludicrous–reminiscent of the disciples jockeying for power and position right after Jesus said he was going to die (Matthew 20).

John presents Jesus as stripping himself and taking the form of a servant (cf. Philippians 2). He kneels to wash the feet of the twelve. He tells them that they must do the same to one another; they must kneel and wash each other’s feet.

This isn’t about investing them with priestly prerogatives. It isn’t about giving them some special status that they dare not share with others. It’s about the opposite–stripping them of the idea that they have a special status; stripping them of any pretense that they are above others. They are not greater than he is; they–we–must wash each other’s feet.

It’s a simple command–”Do what I have done.” Why must it be turned on its head?