Jesus said, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” During the Super Bowl this year there was a controversial ad where people were having their feet washed. Criticism from one end of the political spectrum wanted to know what it was all about. It seemed like an odd thing to do. From the other end of the spectrum outrage was expressed that among those getting their feet washed was a woman at an abortion clinic, an immigrant getting off a bus, a gay character, etc. We should not be surprised that this action in imitation of that of Jesus would provoke a reaction. Even his disciples reacted to his example of loving service. What St. John makes clear is that foot washing included the betrayer, the denier, those who abandoned him. Jesus washed their feet not because they deserved it but because they needed it. We do imitate Jesus in breaking the bread and sharing the cup each day. Maybe we should make our loving service more obvious each day as well.
