ACC ~ John 13 v6

PETER LACKS FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE INCARNATION

SEVERIAN OF GABALA: The Lord of all creation washed his disciples’ feet! This was not an affront to his dignity but a demonstration of his boundless love for us. Yet however great his love was, Peter was well aware of his majesty. Always impetuous and quick to profess his faith, he was quick also to recognize the truth. The other disciples had let the Lord wash their feet, not with indifference but with fear and trembling. They dared not oppose the Master. Out of reverence, however, Peter would not permit it. He said, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet? You shall never wash my feet!”

Peter was adamant. He had the right feelings, but not understanding the full meaning of the incarnation, he first refused in a spirit of faith and afterward gratefully obeyed. This is how religious people ought to behave. They should not be obdurate in their decisions but should surrender to the will of God. For although Peter reasoned in human fashion, he changed his mind out of love for God. HOMILY ON THE WASHING OF THE FEET. [1]

[1] JFA 51; REBy 25:228.

PERMITTING THE SERVANTHOOD OF JESUS

AMBROSE: [Peter] did not notice the mystery, and so he refused the ministry because he believed that the humility of the servant was being overtaxed if he patiently permitted the ministry of the Lord. ON THE MYSTERIES 6.31. [1]

[1] FC 44:16; CSEL 73:102.

THE ECCLESIASTICAL PRACTICE OF WASHING FEET

AMBROSE: You came up from the font. What followed? You heard the reading. The girded priest—for, although the presbyters also do this, the highest priest, girded, I say, washed your feet. [1] … We are not unaware of the fact that the church in Rome does not have this custom whose character and form we [2] follow in all things, except for the fact that it [3] does not have this custom of washing the feet. So note: perhaps on account of the multitude this practice declined. Yet there are some who say and try to allege in excuse that this is not to be done in the mystery, or in baptism or in regeneration, but the feet are to be washed as for a guest. But one belongs to humility, the other to sanctification. Finally, be aware that the mystery is also sanctification: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” So I say this, not that I may rebuke others but that I may commend my own ceremonies. In all things I desire to follow the church in Rome, yet we, too, have human feeling. What is preserved more rightly elsewhere we, too, preserve more rightly. [4] THE SACRAMENTS 3.1.4-5. [5]

[1] In the fourth century, foot washing (pedilavium) formed part of the rite of baptism in Milan, which practice Ambrose is here defending. In the East it is still performed on Holy Thursday in the Armenian church, but in the Byzantine rite it is confined to some cathedrals and monasteries.

[2] In Milan.

[3] The church in Rome.

[4] Ambrose provides a glimpse into some of the tension over church authority that existed between Rome, Milan and other churches.

[5] CSEL 73:39-40; FC 44:291-92*.