Feet

Last night my church had a communion and footwashing service to celebrate Maundy Thursday. This is to follow the story of the last supper as told in the gospel of John. Jesus, the night before he's about to die, gets down on his hands and knees and washes the feet of all the disciples. Even though Jesus is their teacher, and therefore their superior, he takes on the role of their servant and cares for them in a very direct, physical way.

The worship service was very powerful for me. It is quite an experience to have someone else wash your feet--there is a tremendous sense of caring and love, really. But it takes some daring, too, to let somebody handle something so ordinary and ugly as our feet. It takes vulnerability and strength to accept being loved without judgement this way. And it was a gift, too, to wash someone else's feet and recognize that the work of ministry takes a similar approach--sensitive hands, a willingness to get dirty, and awe in the presence of God.

On Maundy Thursday Jesus takes the commonplace--again--and turns it into a deep expression of love and community.