{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/210/2100281.htm","path":"chr/ecf/210/2100281.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/210/2100281.htm","text":"Why they who come forth from the laver of baptism are anointed on the head; why, too, after baptism, their feet are washed, and what sins are remitted in each case.\n29. After this, you went up to the priest, consider what followed. Was it not that of which David speaks: \u201cLike the ointment upon the head, which went down to the beard, even Aaron\u2019s beard\u201d? 2863 This is the ointment of which Solomon, too, says: \u201cThy Name is ointment poured out, therefore have the maidens loved Thee and drawn Thee.\u201d 2864 How many souls regenerated this day have loved Thee, Lord Jesus, and have said: \u201cDraw us after Thee, we are running after the odour of Thy garments,\u201d 2865 that they might drink in the odour of Thy resurrection.\n30. Consider now why this is done, for \u201cthe eyes of a wise man are in his head;\u201d 2866 therefore the ointment flows down to the beard, that is to say, to the beauty of youth; and therefore, Aaron\u2019s beard, that we, too, may become a chosen race, priestly and precious, for we are all anointed with spiritual grace for a share in the kingdom of God and in the priesthood.\n31. You went up from the font; remember the Gospel lesson. For our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel washed the feet of His disciples. When He came to Simon Peter, Peter said: \u201cThou shalt never wash my feet.\u201d 2867 He did not perceive the mystery, and therefore he refused the service, for he thought that the humility of the servant would be injured, if he patiently allowed the Lord to minister to him. And the Lord answered him: \u201cIf I wash not thy feet, thou wilt have no part with Me.\u201d Peter, hearing this, replies: \u201cLord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.\u201d The Lord answered: \u201cHe that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit.\u201d 2868\n32. Peter was clean, but he must wash his feet, for he had sin by succession from the first man, when the serpent overthrew him and persuaded him to sin. His feet were therefore washed, that hereditary sins might be done away, for our own sins are remitted through baptism.\n33. Observe at the same time that the mystery consists in the very office of humility, for Christ says: \u201cIf I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; how much more ought you to wash one another\u2019s feet.\u201d For, since the Author of Salvation Himself redeemed us through His obedience, how much more ought we His servants to offer the service of our humility and obedience.\nS. John xiii. 8.\n321:2868","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. X: Dogmatic Treatises, Ethical Works, and Sermons.: Chapter VI. Why they who come forth from the laver of baptism are anointed on the head; why, too, after baptism, their feet are washed, and what sins are remitted in each case.","type":"page"}