Footwashing (John 13: 1-5)

[Luce NDs]

Sacred bred ... what you can hide in a word as messed up!

 

[Carolla]

I attended a Maundy Thursday service last evening and found it disturbing.

What was it about the service that you found to be disturbing?

 

[Waterfall]

I thought this was fascinating, in ancient Rome, the day of Saturnalia was when all slaves became masters and masters became slaves. On this day the real masters had to wash their slaves feet.

 

[paradox3]

What was it about the service that you found to be disturbing?

Too heavy a focus on atonement theology. Not enough focus on the poignancy of Jesus 's last meal with his disciples.

 

[Luce NDs]

Atoning everything to that assumption is bang on ...

 

[Mendalla]

I thought this was fascinating, in ancient Rome, the day of Saturnalia was when all slaves became masters and masters became slaves. On this day the real masters had to wash their slaves feet.

OTOH, that was a winter festival rather than a spring one so not sure how much it had to with the Maundy Thursday event. Seems to me more likely to be a parallel symbolism than an actual influence. Interesting to think of, though.

 

[Waterfall]

OTOH, that was a winter festival rather than a spring one so not sure how much it had to with the Maundy Thursday event. Seems to me more likely to be a parallel symbolism than an actual influence. Interesting to think of, though.

Yes it was, just thought it was fascinating that Jesus used something familiar to non jews also...the releasing of a Romans slave was interesting too....like barabbas

 

[Carolla]

Foot washing has long been a tradition in other faiths too - Islam, Sikhism too I think, maybe some Hindu practices. And I daresay it's a much more regular practice than the once a year Maundy Thursday service. Daily ablutions prior to prayer are important part of ritual for many people.

When they built the (new) multi-faith centre at Univ of Toronto, they included benches, troughs & taps for foot washing along with face & hand washing in the ante-room to the space. I looked but didn't find a photo of that - but this is from Univ of Regina. Much more cultural awareness now of foot washing, and accommodation of the practice.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/u-of-r-adds-special-sinks-for-muslim-students-1.1856619

 

[paradox3]

Touching the feet is a sign of respect in India.

 

[Luce NDs]

Thus Foot Seas at the very least!