The washing of feet
On the Christian calendar this day is celebrated as Mundy Thursday. It is the day on which Christians remember two stories of Jesus who brought a new covenant. Whether or not one identifies as Christian or believes the stories associated with this date are “factual” ,the lessons associated with Maundy Thursday can serve all of us. The two events associated with Maundy Thursday are the last supper and the washing of the disciples feet. My understanding is the washing of the disciples feet was to demonstrate humility and service. Over and over again in the ministry of Jesus he treats all as equally deserving of love and respect. The disciples had a very “checkered” (very human) history; imperfect as do all of us. Those to whom he ministered were people such as the prostitute, the disabled and the blind who were often not revered in the community. The radical ministry of Jesus asserted that all were equally deserving of his love. His washing of the feet of the disciples was a poignant reminder that he was no better (or worse) than the humblest of servants who normally performed this task. Once again he is stating those the community thinks of as last shall be first and those who the community thinks of as first/important/valued are no more important than “the least of these”.
When he sat with the disciples at supper and demonstrated the ritual which in the Christian church has become the ritual of communion he is inviting all to a new covenant – the new commandment – the new reality of community to which all should aspire This is my blood and my body; the essence of the new covenant.
This Maundy Thursday Christians will not (should not) be celebrating physically in churches because of covid-19. They will not be gathering for communion or the washing of each other’s feet. Yet, at this time when it is crystal clear that not all are able to practice social distance; when not all have access to health care; when not all have a saving account to pay rent or the mortgage if they do not receive an unemployment check (many will not);when not all can afford healthy food; when many are crammed into jails and prisons; when it is clear there is little equality when it comes to having access to the basics for themselves and their children many are stepping up to share what they have; many are finding ways to contribute to the effort to keep each other safe; and many are helping with child care. Yet, any attempt to create a more equitable society; any effort to ensure that access to health care and quality child care is available regardless of accident of birth is often met with strong opposition; with an assertion that we are promoting a communist type faux socialism when in fact one is advocating for a blend of capitalism and a social system which does not leave anyone out; when the last shall be first and he first shall be last. This does not mean that we should create a new set of people who are treated as undeserving. It means that all will be treated as equally important; all jobs and all positions will be equally valued. Those of us who are destined to fill roles such as mine will be valued as much as the person who mows my yard or the heating and cooling expert who did routine maintenance on my furnace and air conditioner today. It is unacceptable that the person who cleans and thus allows a psychiatrist friend of mine to do her job Is suddenly without an income and may or may not qualify for Obama care. If she has health insurance she will not have the gold standard benefits some have. Today she has no work because of the covid-19 virus.
As some sit at home and perhaps join a church service via zoom or some other program, all need to know that the communion chalice is not gold or some other precious metal; all need to know that the new covenant can be experienced as the kindness of neighbors; that all will be as quick to forgive as they are to hope for forgiveness; that all will be welcomed at the table regardless of race, religion, bank account, title, sexual orientation, age, occupation or any other social construct. All need to know that the new covenant can be felt as all lovingly and perhaps metaphorically wash each other’s feet. Most may no longer arrive with dusty feet but our dusty hearts need the gentle touch that says you are worth it.
Written April 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
The washing of feet
On the Christian calendar this day is celebrated as Mundy Thursday. It is the day on which Christians remember two stories of Jesus who brought a new covenant. Whether or not one identifies as Christian or believes the stories associated with this date are “factual” ,the lessons associated with Maundy Thursday can serve all of us. The two events associated with Maundy Thursday are the last supper and the washing of the disciples feet. My understanding is the washing of the disciples feet was to demonstrate humility and service. Over and over again in the ministry of Jesus he treats all as equally deserving of love and respect. The disciples had a very “checkered” (very human) history; imperfect as do all of us. Those to whom he ministered were people such as the prostitute, the disabled and the blind who were often not revered in the community. The radical ministry of Jesus asserted that all were equally deserving of his love. His washing of the feet of the disciples was a poignant reminder that he was no better (or worse) than the humblest of servants who normally performed this task. Once again he is stating those the community thinks of as last shall be first and those who the community thinks of as first/important/valued are no more important than “the least of these”.
When he sat with the disciples at supper and demonstrated the ritual which in the Christian church has become the ritual of communion he is inviting all to a new covenant – the new commandment – the new reality of community to which all should aspire This is my blood and my body; the essence of the new covenant.
This Maundy Thursday Christians will not (should not) be celebrating physically in churches because of covid-19. They will not be gathering for communion or the washing of each other’s feet. Yet, at this time when it is crystal clear that not all are able to practice social distance; when not all have access to health care; when not all have a saving account to pay rent or the mortgage if they do not receive an unemployment check (many will not);when not all can afford healthy food; when many are crammed into jails and prisons; when it is clear there is little equality when it comes to having access to the basics for themselves and their children many are stepping up to share what they have; many are finding ways to contribute to the effort to keep each other safe; and many are helping with child care. Yet, any attempt to create a more equitable society; any effort to ensure that access to health care and quality child care is available regardless of accident of birth is often met with strong opposition; with an assertion that we are promoting a communist type faux socialism when in fact one is advocating for a blend of capitalism and a social system which does not leave anyone out; when the last shall be first and he first shall be last. This does not mean that we should create a new set of people who are treated as undeserving. It means that all will be treated as equally important; all jobs and all positions will be equally valued. Those of us who are destined to fill roles such as mine will be valued as much as the person who mows my yard or the heating and cooling expert who did routine maintenance on my furnace and air conditioner today. It is unacceptable that the person who cleans and thus allows a psychiatrist friend of mine to do her job Is suddenly without an income and may or may not qualify for Obama care. If she has health insurance she will not have the gold standard benefits some have. Today she has no work because of the covid-19 virus.
As some sit at home and perhaps join a church service via zoom or some other program, all need to know that the communion chalice is not gold or some other precious metal; all need to know that the new covenant can be experienced as the kindness of neighbors; that all will be as quick to forgive as they are to hope for forgiveness; that all will be welcomed at the table regardless of race, religion, bank account, title, sexual orientation, age, occupation or any other social construct. All need to know that the new covenant can be felt as all lovingly and perhaps metaphorically wash each other’s feet. Most may no longer arrive with dusty feet but our dusty hearts need the gentle touch that says you are worth it.
Written April 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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