Posted on 03/30/2013 10:44:48 AM PDT by Salvation
It was surprising but not surprising when the Holy See announced that Pope Francis had chosen to celebrate this year's Mass of the Lord's Supper not in one of the papal basilicas of Rome but, instead, in its juvenile prison. That's precisely the kind of gesture that we have come to expect from the new pope in the short time we've been getting to know him. It's not traditional, but it's humble and evangelistic. And it corresponds to Jesus' remarks that, when we visit those in prison, we are spiritually visiting him (Matthew 25:36-40). It's also in keeping with things he's done before, such as holding the service in a maternity hospital in Buenos Aires in 2005. 4. If he can do this, can others? Technically speaking, no. If a pope judges that, due to the particular circumstances of a papal celebration, an exception should be made, that does not create a legal precedent allowing others to do so. Already, the Congregation for Divine Worship has, apparently, indicated privately that a bishop can wash women's feet if he feels a pastoral exception should be made. At least, that's what Cardinal O'Malley indicated he was told when he asked them about the subject (see here for more info). 51. The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve." This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained. This indicates that we should understand that this rite "represents the service and charity of Christ"--
How Should We Understand Pope Francis Washing Women's Feet?
This Year's Mass of the Lord's Supper
Questions
1. What do the Church's liturgical documents say about footwashing?
2. How does Pope Francis's decision relate to this?
3. Can Pope Francis just do things that aren't provided for in the law?
5. What should we expect in the future?
6. How should we understand the rite in light of Pope Francis's action?
So, more men need to volunteer. Come on, guys!
John 13
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet?
7 Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.
8 No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet.
Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.
9 Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!
10 Jesus answered, Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you? he asked them. 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
“Why would anyone have a problem with that?”
It’s one thing to give money ~ anyone can do that, but giving of your time and your mind is another ~ those are gifts that one may have but not others ~ thinking of the needs of the poor is very important.
“who cares?”
Well it’s obvious from the hits on these threads and the news stations covering it worldwide..that many DO care how the Representative of their faith goes about representing them.
Anyone who has international interest is going to be critiqued....particularly concerning most mainline religions and their leadership.
Yes, including me and virtually everyone on these threads.
I can see both sides of it -- the 'slippery slope' possibility as viewed by the traditionalists (potentially leading to arbitrary changes in rubrics); the 'emulate Jesus' side as seen by others (needs little explanation). I don't have the background to characterize the two points of view in more formal ecclesiastic terms.
In any case, please have a Blessed Easter!
Perhaps the model should be Christ, instead of the Pope. It is not some super-human feat that the pope performed, but something that any Christian should feel no hesitation to do in regard to his fellow man—that is serving others.
He showed us what humility and character look like, obama has neither.....
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the 'slippery slope' possibility as viewed by the traditionalists (potentially leading to arbitrary changes in or ignoring of rubrics);
well... ultimately believers need to go about the business of who Christ is in the minds and hearts of all people. For without that questioned answered all else has no relevance when all is said and done.
Proclaiming ‘He’s Risen”..is the ultimate victory past, present and future....and for that all men have hope.
I just call it political correctness and posturing, I may be wrong. All this does is give the other side justification to start the polemic of women priests. IMHO
I remember in past FR threads people quoting the Sacramentary instructions for Holy Thursday and the definition of the word Vir and so on, I guess it’s a moot topic now.
vir and viri = men
I really encourage all men to step forward next Holy Thursday evening and volunteer to be one of the twelve washed by your priest.
Don’t hang back.
I didn’t post that as any type of authority for the exclusion of women. I was just posting what Jesus did and said about washing feet in general.
Good take! People are getting FAR too caught up in the externals and forgetting the HEART of Christ! Jesus was often talked about in the same ways because of His actions.
We should never forget that.
I think Pope Francis can give permission to wash women’s feet the same way Blessed John Paul II gave permission for female altar servers. I wish he had changed the law before he did this, though. I fear this is going to stoke false hope among the women’s ordination crowd. I used to write letters to the appropriate church authorities in the early 90s about liturgical abuses. I hope Pope Francis’ action won’t stoke a number of Catholic priests and liturgical people to say: We’ll celebrate Mass anyway we want.
I really encourage all men to step forward next Holy Thursday evening and volunteer to be one of the twelve washed by your priest. >>
Yes, let the Holy Spirit be their guide and if so a little nudge too.
No offense taken. Just clarifying my own meaning. : )
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