The sacred events of Holy Thursday commemorate the Lord's institution of the Sacraments of the Blessed Eucharist and Holy Orders. As disciples of the Lord, we are all invited to imitate His example in humble service to one another as we prepare to receive the Eucharist at Mass. The ritual washing of the feet was restored by Pope Pius XII in 1955. This ritual symbolically fulfils the command of Jesus at the Last Supper.
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? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you (John 13:12-15).
But today, "what does 'washing of the feet, concretely mean? Every deed of goodness for our fellow human beings, especially for the suffering and those held in low regard, is like the service of the washing of the feet. The Lord calls us to do this, to assume a more humble posture, to make ourselves available to serve others and to persevere in this Christ-like attitude of service. There is also a deeper dimension. The Lord wipes away our sin with the purifying force of his goodness. Washing one another's feet means above all forgiving one another other continuously, being always ready to start together anew even when it seems pointless. It means purifying one another by helping each other and accepting that others can help us too; it means purifying one another by sharing God’s word with one another and participating together in the Sacrament of Divine Love."
When you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death, until He comes again. Corinthians 11: 26
