Last night, the Church celebrated the first of the three parts of the Easter Triduum - The Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is the time that we especially remember Christ's actions and teachings immediately prior to His agony, betrayal, and passion.
In addition to a wonderful time at Mass with two very well-behaved young boys (of whom Suzanne and I were especially proud), we began a fantastic family tradition that I intend to continue for many, many years.
At the Mass, the rubrics call for selected men to come forward and have their feet washed by the priest. This is meant to recall Christ's washing of His Apostles' feet at the Last Supper, where he also instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood.
Last night, I had been selected and my feet were among those washed by Father Larry during the Mass. It was a distinct and very powerful honor - I think even more than when he washed my feet a few years ago. It almost meant more now that I am a father, I think, and for that reason exactly.
When I picked up Thomas and Matthew at Mary's house at the end of the work day yesterday, Thomas wouldn't stop talking about how "Father Larry wash daddy's feet." I could tell that he had been clued in and was very intrigued and excited. And when we were done with Mass and going home, he wouldn't stop talking about it either, which led to the idea of the new family tradition...
When we got home, I put Matthew in his walker and had Thomas sit on one of his play folding chairs and got out a bowl and a cup of warm water. I then proceeded to wash Thomas', Matthew's, and Suzanne's feet and kiss them and tell them that I love them.
Humbling, yes. But also a very distinct honor to serve my children and my wife in such a personal and meaningful way.
The rubrics of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper specify very specifically the Antiphons which should be chosen from to be chanted during the washing of the feet. I'd like to share them for reflection, as they are what I reflected upon when I returned to the church for the rest of the evening to keep Vigil (and lock up the church at midnight)...
1. The Lord Jesus,
when he had eaten with his disciples,
poured water into a basin
and began to wash their feet, saying:
This example I leave you. [See John 13:4,5,15]
2. Lord, do you wash my feet?
Jesus said to him:
If I do not wash your feet
You can have no part with me.
V. So he came to Simon Peter,
Who said to him:
Lord, do you wash my feet?
V. Now you do not know what I am doing,
but later you will understand.
Lord, do you wash my feet? [John 13:6-8]
3. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed you feet,
then surely you must wash one another's feet. [John 13:14]
4. If there is this love among you,
all will know that you are my disciples.
V. Jesus said to his disciples:
If there is this love among you,
all will know that you are my disciples. [John 13:35]
5. I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you, says the Lord. [John 13:34]
6. Faith, hope, and love,
let these endure among you;
and the greatest of these is love. [I Corinthians 13:13]
In particular, it was fascinating to me to reflect upon options #5 and #6, since they express so clearly not only to the Christian life, but are so strongly tied to married and family life as well.
At the very least (and quite significantly), we had a wonderful beginning to our family's Triduum this year and started a fantastic family tradition in our little "domestic church."
In addition to a wonderful time at Mass with two very well-behaved young boys (of whom Suzanne and I were especially proud), we began a fantastic family tradition that I intend to continue for many, many years.
At the Mass, the rubrics call for selected men to come forward and have their feet washed by the priest. This is meant to recall Christ's washing of His Apostles' feet at the Last Supper, where he also instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood.
Last night, I had been selected and my feet were among those washed by Father Larry during the Mass. It was a distinct and very powerful honor - I think even more than when he washed my feet a few years ago. It almost meant more now that I am a father, I think, and for that reason exactly.
When I picked up Thomas and Matthew at Mary's house at the end of the work day yesterday, Thomas wouldn't stop talking about how "Father Larry wash daddy's feet." I could tell that he had been clued in and was very intrigued and excited. And when we were done with Mass and going home, he wouldn't stop talking about it either, which led to the idea of the new family tradition...
When we got home, I put Matthew in his walker and had Thomas sit on one of his play folding chairs and got out a bowl and a cup of warm water. I then proceeded to wash Thomas', Matthew's, and Suzanne's feet and kiss them and tell them that I love them.
Humbling, yes. But also a very distinct honor to serve my children and my wife in such a personal and meaningful way.
The rubrics of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper specify very specifically the Antiphons which should be chosen from to be chanted during the washing of the feet. I'd like to share them for reflection, as they are what I reflected upon when I returned to the church for the rest of the evening to keep Vigil (and lock up the church at midnight)...
1. The Lord Jesus,
when he had eaten with his disciples,
poured water into a basin
and began to wash their feet, saying:
This example I leave you. [See John 13:4,5,15]
2. Lord, do you wash my feet?
Jesus said to him:
If I do not wash your feet
You can have no part with me.
V. So he came to Simon Peter,
Who said to him:
Lord, do you wash my feet?
V. Now you do not know what I am doing,
but later you will understand.
Lord, do you wash my feet? [John 13:6-8]
3. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed you feet,
then surely you must wash one another's feet. [John 13:14]
4. If there is this love among you,
all will know that you are my disciples.
V. Jesus said to his disciples:
If there is this love among you,
all will know that you are my disciples. [John 13:35]
5. I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you, says the Lord. [John 13:34]
6. Faith, hope, and love,
let these endure among you;
and the greatest of these is love. [I Corinthians 13:13]
In particular, it was fascinating to me to reflect upon options #5 and #6, since they express so clearly not only to the Christian life, but are so strongly tied to married and family life as well.
At the very least (and quite significantly), we had a wonderful beginning to our family's Triduum this year and started a fantastic family tradition in our little "domestic church."
