“Mary took a pound of costly, genuine spikenard perfume, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair”. Jn 12
Judas says of this, it is a waste, and Jesus replies, “Let her alone, I had it in store for the day of my burial; for you have the poor always with you, but you do not always have me”.
And, before his burial, He, who has received this gesture, begins to do the same. He does not do it with spikenard or dry it with his hair, but he does say that this is the proper thing for his disciples to do.
He has received it and he does it.
Now it is Peter who reacts: “Lord, will you wash my feet?” or “You will never wash my feet”. He loves the Master but he does not fully understand his way of life. And Jesus tells him that whoever does not allow himself to have his feet washed has no part with Him.
The same Jesus who has stood in line with sinners as if he were a sinner to be baptized, the one who says that we must do as the Master did, has also allowed himself to have his feet anointed. What he says to Peter is what he himself has experienced. Because he allows himself to be served, he does not put himself above others even when he saves us.
When was the last time you had your feet washed?
