ACC ~ John 13 v14

ACT, THEN TEACH

BEDE: Our Lord first did something then taught it, because Jesus, establishing the pattern of a good teacher, taught nothing except those things that he did. [1] COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.1. [2]

[1] Acts 1:1.

[2] CS 117:9; CCL 121:6.

FEET WASHING AS JESUS COMMANDS OCCURS RARELY

ORIGEN: But consider if it is not also difficult for anyone who is a disciple of Christ who wishes to fulfill the command that says, “You also ought to wash one another’s feet,” since he is obliged to desire to perform the work of washing his brothers’ feet, which are physical and perceptible to the senses. Consequently, the faithful [are obliged] to do this in whatever station of life they happen to be, whether bishops and presbyters who seem to be in ecclesiastical prominence, or even those in other positions of honor in the world. This means that the master comes to wash the feet of the believing servant, and parents wash the feet of their son. This custom either does not occur, or it occurs exceedingly rarely and among those who are very simple and rustic. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.133. [1]

[1] FC 89:367; SC 385:246.

WASHING THE FILTH OF OTHERS, I WASH MY OWN

AMBROSE: I also, then, wish to wash the feet of my brothers and sisters. I wish to fulfill the mandate of the Lord. I do not wish to be ashamed of myself or to disdain what he himself did first. The mystery of humility is good because, while I wash the filth of others, I wash away my own. But not all were able to drink in this mystery. Indeed, Abraham also wished to wash feet, but out of a feeling of hospitality. [1] Gideon, too, wished to wash the feet of the angel of the Lord who appeared to him. But he wished to do this as one who was offering obedience, not as one who was offering fellowship. This is a great mystery that no one understands. ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1, PROLOGUE 15. [2]

[1] See Gen 18:4.

[2] FC 44:41**; CSEL 79:21-22.

THE ACT ITSELF ELICITS HUMILITY

AUGUSTINE: This act is done literally by many when they receive one another in hospitality. … For it is unquestionably better that it should be done with the hands and that the Christian does not disdain to do what Christ did. For when the body is bent at the feet of a brother, the feeling of humility is made to rise in the heart, or, if it is already there, it is confirmed. But besides this moral meaning … is not a brother able to change a brother from the pollution of sin? … Let us confess our faults one to another, forgive one another’s faults and pray for one another’s faults. [1] … In this way we shall wash one another’s feet. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 58.4-5. [2]

[1] Jas 5:16.

[2] NPNF 1 7:306-7**; CCL 36:474-75.

AVOID THE TRAP OF PRIDE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Somehow we are always grasping after what is greater, and the empty honors of life are always persuading our weak minds to vault up toward a more glorious position. In order, therefore, to save ourselves from this disease and obtain final relief from such a loathsome passion—for the passion of vainglory is a mere fraud and nothing less—let us engrave on our inmost hearts the memory of Christ, the King of all, washing his disciples’ feet, to teach us also to wash one another’s feet. For in this way, every tendency to arrogance will be restrained and every form of worldly pride will depart from among us. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9. [1]

[1] LF 48:183-84*.