Celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 6, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory encouraged people to follow Jesus’s example in serving others.

Traditionally, a portion of the Mass includes the main celebrant washing the feet of 12 people. This comes from the reading from the Gospel of John, in which Jesus washes the feet of his apostles following the Passover meal at the Last Supper. 

During his homily, Cardinal Gregory spoke about how imitation plays a role in the lives of both children, teens and adults. 

“Imitation is the very cornerstone for advertisers who can make even things that damage our health look as though they are beneficial if not charming. Like it or not, we are all susceptible to fashion trends. We are hopeless imitators of those who determine style,” Cardinal Gregory said.

He referred to Jesus’ quote from the gospel reading, “What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so you must do.” The cardinal asked how many people are willing to imitate Jesus in “an obvious counter-cultural action of humility.”

The cardinal continued to explain the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles.

“The Lord’s demands are never so easily satisfied. He requires more than an annual ritual gesture. He calls us all to a counter-cultural way of life. Foot washing is an approach to life that identifies the Lord’s disciples from all other people,” Cardinal Gregory said.

Segments of the Mass, including readings and prayers, were done in Spanish. The homily reflected the bilingual nature of the event as well, as the cardinal then spoke to attendees in Spanish, saying that the foot washing calls on people to care for one another.

Cardinal Gregory went on to express his concerns about the kind of influencers people follow and the example they set.

“We are too frequently infected with a mean-spiritedness that is quite contrary to the Gospel,” Cardinal Gregory said. 

The cardinal ended his homily by saying that the gesture of the foot washing ties into the importance of the Eucharist.

“There is little wonder that the Gospel of Saint John places foot washing as the epitome of what Eucharist invites us to do and to become. His example reveals the hidden true challenge of the Eucharist,” Cardinal Gregory said.

Those who had their feet washed included a couple of people participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) who are waiting to complete their sacraments at St. Matthew’s Cathedral during the Easter Vigil on April 8, while the rest were parishioners. 

Each member of the foot-washing took off one shoe as the cardinal, one by one, washed their feet.

Following Communion, Cardinal Gregory and the priest concelebrants processed to the Chapel of St. Anthony with the Blessed Sacrament. The cathedral remained open until 10 p.m. for those who wanted to join in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Cardinal Gregory will celebrate a Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, April 7, at St. Matthew’s Cathedral at 1 p.m.