Dirty feet and death

In today’s Gospel from the Mass (John 13:1-15), despite Divine Mercy offered by Jesus Christ, some people prefer dirty feet:

[1] Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,  [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, [4] rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. [5] Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. [6] He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” [7] Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.” [8] Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” [9] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” [10] Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you.” [11] For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “You are not all clean.” [12]When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? [13] You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.

This is a remarkable demonstration of Divine Mercy:

• Jesus, preparing for the Passion, puts aside His own concerns, and strips down, to wash the feet of the disciples.
• Notice that Jesus knows the the devil has already entered Judas’ heart.
• And yet, Jesus with full knowledge that Judas was going to reject His Grace, washing everybody’s feet, including Judas!
• Not only that, but Judas will partake in the Eucharist (Mark 14:20-24).
• Jesus, Divine Mercy Himself, allows the traitor Judas, who is unworthy and in a state of mortal sin (for he is planning the betrayal of Jesus), to partake in the Eucharist.  Jesus, the King of Universe, stoops to wash Judas’ feet.
• But note:  Jesus knows that even His washing of Judas’ feet doesn’t really clean them.  He says, “You are not all clean.”  This is another warning to Judas to repent.  Judas does not.

The gift of Mercy is powerful and good, but for the evil who reject Christ, His Mercy causes grave conflict.

Clearly, there are many who today, believe that they can “dissent” from the Church’s teaching on contraception, abortion, sexual morality or other topics, and still consume the Eucharist.  Many believe that they can engage in their favorite sins and still come to the Altar.

This weekend, many who show up for their annual visit to Church for Easter will be in a state of mortal sin.  Many who are dissenting “regulars” will, as they routinely do, partake in communion.

But the Church clearly teaches that those in mortal sin, must not partake in the Eucharist, for they will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of Christ and drink judgment upon themselves (Ccc 1381; 1 Cor 11:27-29).

So a warning to all those who approach the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin: Judas, who consumes the Eucharist in an unworthy manner, ends up he hanging himself (Matt 27:5-8).  Certainly the Body and Blood of Christ doesn’t cause Judas to kill himself; but the Eucharist has a real effect, and effect that Judas concludes that he can not live with.

Turn from dirty feet and death.  Repent, confess and be restored in Christ.