Washing Of The Feet: A Lesson In Humility and Service

Growing up as a Catholic in my hometown in Victorias City in the Philippines, I was taught to observe the Holy Week with solemnity and silence. During my growing up years, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were the quietest of days as there were no TV shows on air and radio programs were limited to airing the 'Pasyón'.  

(The Apostles' feet being washed by our parish 

priest with the assistance of the altar boys)

What my mother played on her cassette player (there were no CD players or iTunes then) during those years were her recorded religious songs like The Lord's Prayer and the Ave Maria sung by Mario Lanza. These songs, that were recorded at her go-to music store in Bacolod City, were then played on the religious float, or the paso, during the religious processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to accompany the praying parishioners.

And as tradition, this Holy Week, in the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, during the Holy Mass, the unique Lenten rites like the washing of the feet and the transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament are observed. The parish priest will perform the Catholic tradition of the washing the feet of the 12 laymen who portray the 12 apostles. 

He kneels in front of each apostle, takes a basin with water, and washes both of their feet. He then wipes them off with a towel.

This tradition is more than just religion. It is a lesson about humanity; a lesson in humility.

(I wonder what the three angels are chatting about.)

According to the Bible, after the Passover meal, Jesus individually washed the feet of his apostles, who questioned him why He was doing so.

In ancient times, the feet were probably the dirtiest part of the anatomy as they only wore sandals then or even walked barefoot. The dirt, dust, and probably a few skin problems made the feet a filthy pair, especially if you were walking around villages and deserts without washing and cleaning them. And before one entered a house, such feet should be cleaned by the servants. You can just imagine all the dirt and smell. And they probably didn't have their own local pedicurista.😀

And doing so - the holding, washing, and wiping of someone else's feet, especially those of your followers - were not only a symbolic gesture to show that, by being a leader, one has to serve first and be humble to do the lowliest of chores. 

But that lesson is probably best for politicians and government officials who think that their position of power allows them to exploit and abuse their offices, cheat and steal whatever and however they can, and make us all believe they are squeaky clean, genuine civil servants. 

Aside from this kind of people, we have our neighborhood characters whose main agendum every day is to brag about their imaginary wealth, their bogus achievements, or hypocritical charities. 

Now, these people are probably the scariest kind because, unlike politicians and government officials, their hypocrisy, self-praise, and posturing are not co-terminus with any term of office! 😄

And we all know one or two of this kind, I'm sure.😖

(The Apostles then moved around the church 

and washed a parishioner's feet)

It's sad, but this is humanity. It's part of being human. Well, if washing their feet in a basin of water won't change their character, drowning them in one is probably a better idea. Ha-ha-ha! Kidding!😂

So, what to do about these people? Praying for them is one; ignoring them is another. We badly need to choose our leaders as well as our neighbors. 😀

Repeat after me: Eyy-men! 🙏

John 13:14 says, : If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet."

#WashingoftheFeet #SemanaSanta #HolyWeek #MaundyThursday #Catholic