Washing The Feet

jake-the-peg | 08:38 Thu 28th Mar 2013 | News

20 Answers

The new Pope will be washing the feet of young offenders today as part of a traditional Maundy Thursday gesture of humility, following in Christ's footsteps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21963105

James II was the last British monarch to do this as head of the Church of England.

Should the Queen reinstate the practice here too?

Why The Two Names?

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grumpy01

Bit difficult to bend down at 87 I'd have thought.

jake-the-peg

Question Author

Not easy at 76 either I'd think!

Besides I think we have the technology to raise chairs

youngmafbog

Why should she follow the lead of a purveyor of a fairy tale?

coccinelle

Jesus washed the disciples' feet; hardly young offenders....

AB Editor

"Why should she follow the lead of a purveyor of a fairy tale?"

Because she'd head of the church and is considered comparable to the Pope.

"Besides I think we have the technology to raise chairs"

This is an amazing image. A grotty looking young man in orange jumpsuit raised on a white stana-stairlift chair modified on a mini cherrypicker so his feet are head height with the queen sitting on the throne. Queen produces loofah, scourer, and emery board before commencing her work and asking him if he's going anywhere nice on holiday this year.

AB Editor

"Jesus washed the disciples' feet; hardly young offenders..."

I thought he did all sorts?

snags

^ Would she be expecting a tip?

AB Editor

"Would she be expecting a tip?"

Not sure. I guess it depends if she did a "full service" with varnish and toe-knuckle waxing...

jake-the-peg

Question Author

I doubt any Loofahs are involved - it's a quick rinse of what I expect will be throughoughly prepared tootsies!

It's symbolic - a gesture of humility

She's head of the Church of England - and I believe takes the role of monarch as priest seriously

Christ spent his time with prostitutes and outcast - that's obviously why he's chosen young offenders

Washing Kylie Minogue or Jay-lo's feet wouldn't have the same symbolism somehow.

Hey - we could have the party leaders do it too - they're often bigging up their religous credentials

RATTER15

Would they be up for a pedicure for a small tip in the collection box as we are there anyway?

Haggisdj

I'd wash Kylie's feet...

mikey4444

Not sure about this feet washing business....doesn't seem terribly hygienic to me. But surely there is a more pressing use of soap and water that awaits our new Pope.

He could, for instance, start on the process of clearing out the Vatican and the church in general of its paedophiles, embezzlers, bank fraudsters, etc.

This might seem similar to the Herculean task of clearing out the Augean Stables but someone has to start somewhere. It would seem entirely logical to suggest that paedophilia has been going on in the church since Jesus joined the Bethlehem Cubs Scouts troop, and previous Popes have shown themselves totally inadequate to the task of dealing with it.

So, more power to the Pope's brushes !