Foot-washing is all about the priesthood
SIR – Thomas O’Loughlin’s article on the Mandatum (March 18) half-cites modern biblical research in defence of his argument that foot-washing is all about mercy and mutual service, and not at all about the priesthood. Au contraire. Equally modern research (in this case, that of the Methodist scholar Margaret Barker) provides another perspective. In the ritual washing on the Day of Atonement, the priests washed themselves five times, but their feet were washed 10 times: “he who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet” (John 13:10). As the synoptic Gospels tell us, Jesus at the Last Supper transforms the meaning of ancient things, and incorporates them into his own priestly oblation which commences in the Upper Room. The same is happening in John: here Jesus inaugurates his new priesthood for service in the Temple, and he purifies it by washing it. It is not the normal foot-washing of guests, since this happens after the meal, not upon their arrival. Washing the feet of the Apostles was a priestly ordination, anticipated in the Book of Numbers (8-11) and by Ezekiel (44). The Mandatum is unequivocally about the priesthood, and the ancient liturgical practice of the Byzantines confirms this Latin understanding. The symbolism of mercy and service flow from the priesthood, since the priesthood is about the Cross, and the Cross is about mercy. Is this debate really about revealing the Crucified and Risen Lord, or is it about social mores? Yours faithfully, Brother Gregory Davies O.Praem St Philip’s Priory, Chelmsford, Essex
