Washing Feet: An Example of Service or Something More?

Jesus Washing Peter's Feet by Ford Madox Brown 1852-6 So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. - John 13:2-5 Today, in 2024 A.D., we don't give much thought to these few sentences. The impact of the activity of Jesus is lost on us because a) We wear shoes everywhere. Many of us even have "inside shoes" and "outside shoes". b) The Church's liturgy (as popularly practiced) often misses or lessens the importance of this event (pro tip: it's not simply Jesus giving and example of serving others). Contrary to what we see in the movies, the roads in the time of Jesus weren't all covered in perfectly placed cobblestones or silky, fine dust. If r

Ask the DRE

I write a little blurb in the parish bulletin entitled "Ask the DRE" where people can send me emails asking questions about the faith etc. Here is a question from a few months ago that I thought I share.

ASK THE DRE – If I live a great life, love God, and all the rest, how can choosing to miss Mass once be a mortal sin that could put me into Hell?

If I eat well, exercise, and take good care of myself, how can choosing to jump off a cliff one time be enough to end my life? Now, the difference with this analogy and missing Mass is of course whether one misses Mass deliberately or because of difficult circumstances. In the analogy of the cliff, it doesn’t matter whether it was an accident or on purpose, you’re still dead. God is much more patient and forgiving than nature.

Missing Mass deliberately is a grave sin against God, Whom we should love above all else – even the thing we are missing Mass for. It is also breaking the Third Commandment. Actually, if you really take time to think about it, it is breaking at least 8 out of the 10 Commandments.

Look at the question in another light, in the light of what Faith is all about: Relationship. For instance: If I take care of my wife, remember all of those special days with chocolate and flowers, and I am faithful to her for 25 years, how can choosing adultery once destroy our relationship? Or if I am a great father, spend time with my kids, and do everything an ideal dad could do, how could one instance of abuse destroy our relationship? Missing mass deliberately is not about breaking a rule, it’s about breaking a relationship and not having a relationship with God, is Hell.

Comments

Barbara said…
Just had this debate with my brother over Christmas. He's a cradle Catholic (not that that means a darn thing) and just could not understand how missing Mass is a mortal sin (ie death to the soul, ie if you die without confessing, hell). What part of keep holy the Sabbath don't you understand? I said. That means Mass is more important than thyself.