ACC ~ John 13 v5
MIGHTY WISDOM POURS WATER INTO A BASIN
ANONYMOUS: The Wisdom of God that restrains the untamed fury of the waters that are above the firmament, that sets a bridle on the deep and keeps back the seas, now pours water into a basin; and the Master washed the feet of his servants. The Master shows to his disciples an example of humility ā¦ as he in whose hand is the life of all things kneels down to wash the feet of his servants. MATINS FOR HOLY THURSDAY, CANTICLE 5. [1]
[1] LT 551.
THE HEAVENLY DEW WASHES THE HEEL THAT WAS CURSED
AMBROSE: I find the Lord divesting himself of his garments and girding himself with a towel, pouring water into a basin, washing the feet of his disciples. This water was that heavenly dew with which, it was prophesied, the Lord Jesus would wash the feet of his disciples. [1] And now let the feet of our souls be extended. The Lord Jesus wishes to wash our feet also. ā¦ There is a kind of water that we pour into the basin of our soul, water from the fleece and from the book of Judges, water from the book of Psalms. [2] The water is the dew of the heavenly message. Therefore, Lord Jesus, let this water come into my soul, into my flesh, that by the moisture of this rain the valleys of our minds and the fields of our inmost heart may grow green. [3] Let your drops come on me, sprinkling grace and immortality. Wash the steps of my mind that I may not sin again. Wash off the heel of my spirit [4] that I may be able to abolish the curse so that I may not feel the bite of the serpent on my inner foot, [5] but, as you yourself have ordered your followers, that I may have the power with uninjured foot to tread on the serpents and scorpions. You have redeemed the world. Redeem the soul of one sinner. ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1, PROLOGUE 12, 16. [6]
[1] Ps 23:2 (22:2 LXX, Vg).
[2] See Ps 23:2 (22:2 LXX, Vg).
[3] See Ps 72:6 (71:6 LXX, Vg).
[4] See Gen 3:15.
[5] See Lk 10:19.
[6] FC 44:40-42**; CSEL 79:20, 22. See also On the Holy Spirit 1.13, where he speaks of washing the footprints of the mind.
JESUS NOT FINISHED WASHING THE DISCIPLESā FEET
ORIGEN: Why do you suppose it was not written, āHe washed the disciplesā feetā instead of āAnd he began to wash the disciplesā feetā? For is it the custom of the Scriptures to prefix āhe beganā without a reason, as in the usage of the majority? Or did Jesus then ābegin to wash the disciplesā feetā and not stop when he had washed their feet at that time? For later he washed them and completed the washing, since they were defiled, according to the saying, āYou will all be made to stumble because of me this night,ā [1] and what was said to Peter, āThe rooster will not crow until you deny me three times.ā [2] For when these sins occurred, the defiled feet of the disciples were again in need of washing, which he had begun to wash when he rose from supper, [but] he completed the washing when he cleansed them that they might no longer be defiled. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.51-54. [3]
THE POTTER WASHES THE FEET OF CLAY
ROMANUS MELODUS:
The sea washes the brick, the Abyss washes the clay
And it does not destroy its structure,
But binds its substance and wipes clean its purpose. [4]
Behold the disposition of the One who made us.
See of what sort is the attitude of the Creator for His creatures;
They have reclined and He has stood, they are fed and He serves, they are washed and He wipes them clean;
And the feet of clay are not cast into a mold in the hands of fire.
Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy on us,
Thou who dost bear with all men and receive all men. ā¦
May sleep take me to death, if I allow Thee, the Immortal,
To bend down before me, a mortal.
The enemy would laugh at me, if Thou dealest in this way with me.
Is it not enough that Thou dost consider me as Thine?
Is it not much that I am considered and called the first of Thy friends?
But art Thou to wash my feet and limbs of clay, Thou, the Potter of the universe?
O Redeemer, dost Thou wish to wash my mortal limbs and feet?
Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy on us,
Thou who dost bear with all men and receive all men.
KONTAKION ON JUDAS 17.8,10. [5]
[1] Mt 26:31.
[2] See Jn 13:38.
[3] FC 89:351-52; SC 385:208.
[4] The metaphor here refers to Christ as the abyss, in the sense of the depths of his wisdom and goodness. Adam was formed of clay, and the image presents us with Christ strengthening the clay and purifying it.
[5] KRBM 1:172-73.
DEATH WASHED AWAY
IRENAEUS: Now in the last days, when the fullness of the time of liberty had arrived, the Word himself did by himself āwash away the filth of the daughters of Zionā [1] when he washed the disciplesā feet with his own hands. For this is the end [result] of the human race inheriting God. In the beginning, by means of our first [parents], we were all brought into bondage by being made subject to death. And so now, at last, by means of the new man, all who from the beginning were his disciplesāhaving been cleansed and washed from whatever pertains to deathācome to life with God. For he who washed the feet of the disciples sanctified the entire body and rendered it clean. For this reason, too, he administered food to them while reclining, indicating that those who were lying in the earth were those to whom he came to impart life. AGAINST HERESIES 4.22.1. [2]
[1] Is 4:4.
[2] ANF 1:493*; SC 100:684-86.
A METAPHOR FOR SPIRITUAL ZEAL
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: It is good for the [feet and hands] to be consecrated ā¦ so that they are not swift to shed blood or to run to evil, [1] but that they are prompt to run to the gospel and the prize of the high calling [2] and to receive Christ who washes and cleanses them. ON HOLY BAPTISM, ORATION 40.39. [3]
[1] Prov 1:16.
[2] Phil 3:14.
[3] NPNF 2 7:374. For further explorations of Jn 13 and the theme of humility in Gregory, see also Oration 38.14; 43.64; 45.26.
A LESSON IN HUMILITY
THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Humility is the principle of all virtues: it removes any contrast, division or dissension from human beings and plants into them peace and charity. And through charity it grows and increases. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6.13.3-5. [1]
[1] CSCO 4 3:254.