Fr Robin Gibbons: Maundy Thursday Reflection

Christ reasoning with Peter - Giotto

The fuss over Pope Francis decision to allow women to have their feet washed during the Eucharist today is incomprehensible to many people, especially if , like me, you work and live in an ecumenical setting where women and men share ministry together. I worry about the tendency to misogynistic takes on the historical reality of Jesus foot washing as though it was part of some ordination rite, excluding women, which it plainly isn't.

Why do I think that? Well perhaps all those who get worked up might like to look at other references to foot washing in the New Testament and reflect on their significance. There are several that show women washing Jesus' feet!

There is the sinful woman of Luke 7.36-50 who anoints Jesus with tears and love. Mark and Matthew comment about the significance of her action and that what she has done, quoting Jesus 'Truly, I say to you, wherever cthis gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."(Mt 26:6-13). John places one foot washing in the context of a family meal with Martha Mary and Lazarus, the friends he loved. Normally foot washing was a servants job, and only done by peers as a mark of great respect, which is why Jesus' washing of the disciples feet shocked them because it places his action with all those left out, on the edges, marginalised! So when we place these alongside the Last Supper account a much richer symbolism emerges.

When this ritual emerged in early Christianity it was seen as something particularly connected with humble service and open to any believer, in 1 Tm 5:9,10 the Christian widow's practice of foot washing is understood as something done often : ' No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds'. The context is clear it is part of loving service.

This rite belongs to the community as a whole and in many churches people are thinking how it could be done in a better way, for it is not about gender or power, nor confined to one group, The Anabaptist tradition felt it to be almost sacramental in its use and to this day celebrates it with enormous care and love. It is a symbolic act capable of many meanings and we must be thankful for that gift of richness given us by the loving Lord.

Prayer from the Mennonite Tradition for Foot Washing

Eternal Creator and Loving God,In the act of kneeling to wash one another's feet,

may we kneel also in our heartsso that our lives may bow in service to your will and not our own.

In allowing our feet to be washed, may our lives be cleansed with your forgiveness so that we may go forthfreed from the bonds of guilt and despairto live in freedom and hope.

O Lord, In our washing of feet, cleanse our relationships with one another as well.

May we, in washing one another's feet,forgive and accept forgiveness from one another for any hurts or wrongs or misunderstandings that have passed between us, so that we may rise to sit together at your table in a renewed and strengthened fellowship in your love. Amen.