Washing Feet

Thomas OLoughlin probes the rite of footwashing, and invites us into the vulnerability that this ritual embodies, not just one night of the year, but as the permanent foundation for relationships in the Christian community. What began as a domestic ritual is not tamed here, but given the opportunity to challenge us to get down on our knees before one another, and to learn what the reign of God acts like from the floorand feetup. Everyone who aspires to leadership in the Christian community or currently exercises it needs to read this book. Bernadette Gasslein, Editor, Worship Get this book-read it-study it-pray with it-laugh with it! Our humanity is so visible when we encounter something that is both ritually powerful and awkward. Author Thomas O'Loughlin has done an immense service to Christian communities by writing a readily accessible book on one of those `dangerous memories' in the Christian tradition-washing each other's feet as we follow the command and example of Jesus.Abbot John Klassen, OSB, St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota O'Loughlin examines the practical, historical, and liturgical reasons for the Holy Thursday tradition and emphasizes how mutual foot washing can help us "recognize our human commonality and equality."US Catholic Pragmatic and pastoral. It is certain to prompt a deeper understanding of who we are as the community of Christ's Church.Liguorian

Thomas OLoughlin is professor of historical theology at the University of Nottingham, UK. He uses the tools of the historian to look afresh at how we ask and answer theological problems. OLoughlin was elected president of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain in 2016. He is the author of The Rites and Wrongs of Liturgy: Why Good Liturgy Matters and Washing Feet: Imitating the Example of Jesus in Liturgy Today, both from Liturgical Press.