We do a footwashing and communion worship service on the Thursday of Holy Week. This is always an interesting thing because the whole footwashing thing is basically uncomfortable for just about everyone. Yet, I think it’s important that we do it. Why?
I know that part of why it is uncomfortable is because we just don’t do the footwashing thing today. This aspect of it just doesn’t connect. We can do the exploration of the socio-historical background of 1st Century Judaism or the customs of ancient Palestine, but even then it is a head knowledge and it’s hard to translate. Furthermore, I remain unconvinced by the deviations from washing feet that attempt to find its modern equivalent. I’m not sure we really have a modern equivalent. In fact, I notice in John 13 that the disciples are rather uncomfortable with the whole thing, so it doesn’t seem to me that we keep that spirit by trying to make ourselves more comfortable when remembering it.
I’ve been thinking of it a bit differently this year. This year I’m thinking of John writing, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” and “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It seems to me, as I’m trying to make some sense of this foreign scene, that the whole thing is about love.
We need a good word on love today. We’ve been sold a bill of goods on love, I think. That love will be easy or warm and fuzzy or maybe the biggest lie, if we are not getting something from it, then we ought to step away from the relationship. Love. Jesus loved his own until the end. Then he commanded his disciples to love one another as he had loved them.
I know that Paul tells us that love is patient and kind and all that, but I’ve also found that trying to live out love within community is messy and sometimes confusing. For some people it gets too personal or too messy so they opt out. Others will choose to keep a safe distance, never exposing anything ugly or dirty(so they believe) within community. Community gets gritty and there is dirt underneath your nails. You see other peoples’ warts and bunions, and neither party is really thrilled about that. Yet, there is Jesus, on his feet, in the midst of the grit and grime, washing the feet of men who will soon turn tail and run, and he just goes right on loving them. Love within community is messy and it costs. But then there are those times, those God ordained, Spirit filled moments, when in the midst of the stinky feet and dirty towels and real humanity, that God brings something absolutely beautiful. That’s just like God, isn’t it?
You have been given a new commandment – Love one another as Christ has loved you.
Andy sometimes you are so far away from any teachings I have known, that I would drive to Carson City if I could afford it, just for your Sunday Sermons. You definitely have the Holy Spirit Working through you. Aunt Jeanette would have been so, oh so, proud of you. It gives me pleasure knowing that really she does know how you are doing. She still comes to me in my dreams with that big smile of hers….each time when I’ve needed to clear up something going on in my own mind. She’s the carrier of the Howell memories, as she brings Grandma Howell, or my Dad and Mom too..and others in the family that have past. I’m only telling you this, as she was a wonderful Lady and I did love her very much. Seems as though she’s speaking through me, to say in words that she is very proud of you, Andy.
The foot washing is love for others and teaches me humility, it’s okay to be vulnerable in the presense of our Love Community..Church. We are not to judge, we are to care for our loved ones. Jesus was a simple teacher, hard on those who didn’t get it, but he loved them, wanted them to be their best when he left them. …………….Okay that’s what I got out it.. Love you and take care. Vicky. (cousin from your great Aunt Marilyn(Howell).
Thank you very much Vicky, I really appreciate you saying that. I do hope that I would make her proud, and I do miss her.
And I’d love to have you attend worship sometime! How far away are you? I bet mom would meet you up here some Sunday if you wanted.