t.

Meanwhile Jesus, in the vestibule, told John to take a basin, and
James a pitcher filled with water, with which they followed him into
the room, where the major-domo had placed another empty basin.

Jesus, on returning to his disciples in so humble a manner,
addressed them a few words of reproach on the subject of the dispute
which had arisen between them, and said among other things, that he
himself was their servant, and that they were to sit down, for him to
wash their feet. They sat down, therefore, in the same order as they
had sat at table. Jesus went from one to the other, poured water from
the basin which John carried on the feet of each, and then, taking the
end of the towel wherewith he was girded, wiped them. Most loving and
tender was the manner of our Lord while thus humbling himself at the
feet of his Apostles.

Peter, when his turn came, endeavoured through humility to prevent
Jesus from washing his feet: 'Lord,' he exclaimed, 'dost thou wash my feet?'
Jesus answered: 'What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know
hereafter.' It appeared to me that he said to him privately: 'Simon, thou
hast merited for my Father to reveal to thee who I am, whence I come,
and whither I am going, thou alone hast expressly confessed it,
therefore upon thee will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. My power will remain with thy successors to the
end of the world.'

Jesus showed him to the other Apostles, and said, that when he
should be no more present among them, Peter was to fill his place in
their regard. Peter said: 'Thou shalt never wash my feet!' Our Lord
replied: 'If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.' Then Peter
exclaimed: 'Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.' Jesus
replied: 'He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is
clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.'

By these last words he referred to Judas. He had spoken of the
washing of the feet as signifying purification from daily faults,
because the feet, which are continually in contact with the earth, are
also continually liable to be soiled, unless great care is taken.

This washing of the feet was spiritual, and served as a species of
absolution. Peter, in his zeal, saw nothing in it but too great an act
of abasement on the part of his Master; he knew not that to save him
Jesus would the very next day humble himself even to the ignominious
death of the cross