By Leon Bent.
“Arise! Awake! Go! Grow! Glow!” It’s the “New Evangelization” – Greek word for Gospel, euangelion, literally means, ‘“gospeling’ on twinkling feet, in mellifluous, mesmerizing, mystical, divine dance!” Missionary outreach invariably begins in the flaming heart of God!
The Synod on Synodality, 2021-2024, is a journey of discernment rooted in the Holy Spirit, who is its chief protagonist, set in the Word of God – so that, we may continue to fulfil our mission to proselytize the world, through “communion, mission, and participation” – Synodality goes hand in hand with “spiritual renewal” that, requires “processes of repentance and the healing of the memory” (7c).
Jesus’ mandate in Matthew 28: 16-20: “The Great Commission,” refers to several passages in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus Christ urges his apostles to make “disciples of all nations,” and “baptize” them with water and the Holy Spirit. The word “disciple,” which is “mathetes” in Greek, literally means “pupil,” but also “follower or disciple of Jesus;” and suggests God’s anointing, power and presence, as symbols of healing and consecration. God’s truth brings joy, hope, peace, and spiritual prosperity (shalom = ‘nothing-missing-nothing-broken’), to beleaguered persons and places in the world.
Isaiah 52:7 announces succinctly: “How beautiful upon the mountains, are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who heralds salvation, who says to Zion, ‘“Your God reigns!”’
Proverbs 15:30 describes the effect of ‘good news:’ “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Often the reference is to “walk,” that is, the moral conduct of life (Psalms 73:2; Job 23:11; 31:5).
‘The Gospel Path to Beautiful Feet’: Romans 10:13-14 [15] “…Spiritually speaking, those who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ have “delightful and scintillating feet” – the action of grace and the fullness of a triumphant Spirit! Proverbs 15:30 describes the effect of ‘good news’: “it refreshes the bones.”
St. John singled out the feet in his description of the anointing of Jesus, because he wanted to portray the impending Redeemer as a “suffering servant” [(Isa.52:13) crucifixion and resurrection], and the dying Anointed One. Symbols of respect, reverence, and subservience, feet washing and unction, are acts of humility and love. The ‘foot’ is a subconscious ambassador of our emotions in non-verbal communication.
The feet are also seen as a symbol of enlightenment. Those of a spiritual master are considered “lotus feet,” and ‘by touching the feet of a spiritual master, a transfer of spiritual knowledge, energy and joy can be obtained.’
Why did Mary Magdalene anoint the feet of Jesus? The text is clear that, Mary does this to “prepare him for his burial” (John 12:3–7; Mt. 26; Mk.14). She gave to Jesus, “what she could.” It was an act of worship. Mary raised her eyes in holy nakedness and gazed piercingly at Jesus – his beatific light bathed her mind, revealing a rapt heart and a soul now purified, transfigured, afire!
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.