Feet-Washing

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Peace comes, inevitably. Perhaps with our cooperation.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Sometimes I might not be ready to communicate. I might prefer to go on with my activities and diversions. I might have what seems like urgent business or a family crisis. I might have myself mired in a hectic day. It doesn’t seem to matter to you – you’re listening.

That’s a comfort and a challenge to me. It challenges me to think of you in those times, too. I might not be ready to try to articulate anything, but the thought of you will begin to give me focus again. You are listening when… ever. I’m too busy to talk, but I’ll call you back, I promise.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You guys cover me while I sneak into the garden.”

[Not exactly what He said when they went to Gethsemane.]

D. Blog: Washing Feet on Maundy Thursday

I was raised in a religious tradition in which feet-washing is part of what’s done on Maundy Thursday to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus with the disciples. Having been part of that observance for many years, I have some observations about its significance in a Christian setting.

I think the awkward intimacy of feet-washing connects us more directly with Jesus’ living presence than communion does. For it relies on seeing and touching (being seen and touched by) sisters and/or brothers in the faith community. It is thus not merely a symbolic identification with Jesus’ broken body and blood, but tangible identification with his living body, the church. It is not an anonymous partaking of elements, but personal contact with one who bears the image of Jesus.

By engaging in feet-washing, one offers humble service to a brother or sister, thereby identifying with Jesus’ model of power through self-giving service. At the same time, one receives the service of another, which is also a sign of humility. Instead of a mysterious power in the communion elements, there is visible humility and the power of the Spirit expression of love between brothers and sisters.

By washing feet, Christians demonstrate obedience to Jesus’ specific directive in the Gospel of John. I don’t see a challenge in eating a wafer or peace of bread and drinking a bit of wine or juice. Getting on one’s knees before a brother or sister who is a likeness of Jesus shows obedience.

In the observance of feet-washing, we might have a part in Him, that is, we engage in a ritual and an attitude that embody who He is in us and what He means in us.