Holy Thursday 

   “So, if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.  I have given you an example.  What I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13: 14 – 15) 

   This evening at Mass all over the world priests, bishops, and even the Pope will be following the example Christ gave His apostles.  They will be washing the feet of twelve chosen to represent the apostles.  This sign of humility is one that is, or should be, of utmost importance to those ordained to the priesthood.  If they are to faithfully represent our Lord to their flocks they must have such humility within them.

   This example is also one each of us should follow in our relationships with others.  While it is very unlikely that we will be called upon to wash another’s feet, we are called upon to practice humility in all that we do.  The self-centered attitude of so many in society today destroys humility in them and without it they can never truly belong to the Lord. 

   “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2: 6 – 8).  This is the humility that we must emulate if we are to follow the path of our Lord.

   As Lent draws to a close, let us remember how our Lord humbled himself to wash the feet of his apostles and strive to foster such humility in our own lives.