GOING BEYOND THE RITUAL- A PERSONAL STORY!
P.J. Joseph, SJ
I have, by now, seen many articles expressing opinions on Pope
Francis washing the feet of a small group of 12 young people on Manudy
Thursday this year. Among them were two girls and two Muslims. And they
all looked like humans!
Some 'good Christians' thought that Pope was
breaking a tradition, others thought he was setting a 'questionable
example', and still others thought he was breaking a 'church law'... and
others may be still thinking and thinking....!
A fascinating thought among all these good people is
that 'foot washing' is a ritual... which from their expressions look
like having little or no significance in practical life except of course
the symbolic meaning.....! It is to be done once a year in a church and
let it be until next year!
And I for one, never for a moment think that Jesus
did the foot washing to make it a 'ritual'. He did it to show something
to his disciples; and all of them saw it and some even understood a bit
(till he explained its meaning to them).
But my dear friends, you can always discover more in that so called
'ritual' as I did 10 years ago. It was 2003 and I was just getting out
of my 33 days of 'being with Jesus'. If there was one singular
experience that touched me so deeply at that time, it was the foot
washing!
And as soon as I was out, came a phone call from
home saying there was a major problem - property dispute - where all
siblings are at war with each other! And I had no clue as to what to do
to bring an amicable solution! But something prompted me from within....
'do as Jesus did'. After a long thought, I decided to do, but not
without a scary thought of others branding me as 'gone crazy'..! Well, I
reached home after a long journey... kept silence for 6 hours, called
all family members (they all came with the hope of finding an easy
solution). Then I read that gospel passage, gave a small explanation,
and I WASHED THEIR FEET beginning with the eldest to the youngest. It
was not a Maundy Thursday. You could have seen the tears rolling down
their cheeks! It took only a day settle the dispute.
Foot washing is not just a ritual, my dear friends.
It is the essence of the Bible, theology in action, 'liberating the
creative energy' in us. If you have never done it, try out once, you
will know..!!
P.J. Joseph, SJ
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