Reflection by Molly Weyrens, Pastoral Associate
The basin and the towel. Here we are on this holy night ready to celebrate the Last Supper. The institution of the Eucharist. And yet, our storyteller, John, decides not to tell us the story about the bread and the wine but he says no we’re gonna talk about ….washing feet. Washing feet. What in the world? This seemingly normal mundane practice of feet washing gets turned on its head… once again the Master story teller shares a new vision….
The basin and the towel
The apostles that night didn’t know what hit them so many things were changing and they kept trying to understand. BUT maybe just maybe Jesus wanted to make sure that they were feeling his message in their HEART and NOT only their heads. The reaction of the apostles is certainly akin to what we experience with foot washing. We’re a bit nervous… uncomfortable… humbled… embarrassed… Peter voices his reticence by saying, “You will NEVER wash my feet.” And Jesus explains that if he can’t wash his feet and RECEIVE his love then he can’t be part of the rest of the story… that’s how important this foot washing is.. If you have NEVER had your feet washed at this service, maybe tonight’s the night. Become one of those apostles. Receive some of the love of Jesus in a new way.
It has been suggested that foot washing should be another sacrament. We see humility. We see grace. We see extravagant LOVE. Imagine if our churches did footwashing every week along with Eucharist how that might that affect our relationships with each other? How might that tear down some of the walls between us? Jesus’ shows incredible vulnerability – and what I mean by vulnerable is that we are willing to show our truest selves – the parts we are proud of and not so proud of and be willing to risk the response of others…. Jesus show vulnerability by putting his life on the line and being crucified. In this small way of washing feet he is saying to us that we too are called to be vulnerable. Because you know what can happen when we’re vulnerable? Resurrection!
Here’s a picture of vulnerability happening right now… at the Vatican they do the Stations of the Cross and they asked a women from Ukraine and a woman from Russia to lead the 13th station – Jesus is taken off the cross – TOGETHER. Wow. There’s a great deal of controversy surrounding it as you can imagine. But what a powerful witness to us.
The root word of vulnerable is ‘wound.’ It takes courage to be vulnerable. But barriers can be broken. Hearts can be mended. Hierarchies of power can be leveled. Because we all have feet to be washed. It evens the playing ground. Jesus was saying to his apostles, I am WITH you. We are FRIENDS. In what relationships might you need to practice more mutuality instead of power?
Jesus surprised them that night with this amazing action. How might you surprise somebody this week or in the weeks to follow with some type of love that they don’t expect? How might you RECEIVE love that you didn’t expect? I think Jesus is also teaching us the art of RECEIVING. Jesus was lavishing his apostles with love and they didn’t know how to receive it. Receiving offers a gift to the person giving. Can we allow others to give us love and kindness?
These 3 days are so full of rich reflection. How can we show up? Meister Eckhart, a German mystic form the 13th century shared…
You must bring him everything!
Your dreams, your successes, your rejoicing.
And if you have little to rejoice over, bring him this little.
And if your life seems only like a heap of fragments,.
And if you have only empty hands, bring him your empty hands.
Shattered hopes are his material;
in his hands all is made good.
The basin and the towel. Simple symbols of extravagant love waiting for us to receive and give away.