Anointing the Feet of Christ
The Church, then, both washes the feet of Christ and wipes them with her hair, and anoints them with oil, and pours ointment upon them, because not only does she care for the wounded and cherish the weary, but also sprinkles them with the sweet odour of grace; and pours forth the same grace not only on the rich and powerful, but also on men of lowly estate. She weighs all with equal balance, gathers all in the same bosom, and cherishes them in the same lap.
Christ died once, and was buried once, and nevertheless He wills that ointment should daily be poured on his feet. What, then, are those feet of Christ on which we pour ointment?
The feet of Christ are they of whom He Himself says; “What ye have done to one of the least of these ye have done to Me.” These feet that woman in the gospel refreshes, these feet she bedews with her tears; when sin is forgiven to the lowliest, guilt is washed away, and pardon granted.
These feet he kisses, who loves even the lowest of the holy people. These feet he anoints with ointment, who imparts the kindness of his gentleness even to the weaker. In these the martyrs, in these the apostles, in these the Lord Jesus Himself declares that He is honored.
—Saint Ambrose
Saint Ambrose paints a powerful picture of the Church as both servant and healer—washing, anointing, and embracing the feet of Christ. But he makes clear that those feet are not found only in stained glass or ancient stories—they are found in “the least of these.” In treatment, surrounded by wounds both seen and unseen, we are reminded that every act of gentleness, compassion, or forgiveness is an act of worship. To love the broken, to lift the weary, to offer grace to the overlooked—this is how we anoint the feet of Christ today. Whether you are offering kindness or receiving it, know this: in those sacred exchanges, Christ is present. And in honoring the lowly, we honor Him. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics