Mass of the Lord's Supper

Last night, for the first time, our parish opened up the ritual cleansing of feet to the congregation, as opposed to the dozen volunteers we've restricted it to in the past. It allowed us to experience the discomfort of the apostles and the service of Jesus, though certainly each was more limited than the participants physically present at the original Holy Thursday experienced. I was pleased - though not surprised - by how many parishioners came forward to participate.

At the risk of embarrassing someone I know (and I'm leaving the person anonymous), at one point after I'd returned to my seat and my wife had become emboldened to go forward after all, I asked someone if they were going to participate. "Nah," they replied, "My feet stink." I tried to reassure that this didn't matter, without seeming pushy, and then let it go. But I've been thinking about this since.

If this person is reading my blog, please don't think I'm judging you in any way - I'm just thinking out loud. Also, I'm borrowing heavily from sources I can't remember anymore:

At the time and place wherein Jesus washed the disciples feet, "shoes" primarily meant "sandals." The reason that a person who'd bathed would need their feet washed was that they'd probably been walking to get where they were going, and while sand and dirt might be the most common contaminants they'd pick up, they certainly weren't the worst. While the feet might not smell from being enclosed all day as we experience in our modern society, the various things (use your imagination) that people might inadvertantly trudge through would make them pretty disgusting. Washing the feet was considered such a menial and disgusting job that it was one of a very few tasks which a slave could not be commanded to do for his master.

So when Jesus girt himself with the towel, it is no wonder that Simon Peter objected, yet the Teacher and Master insisted in a way he knew Peter would not refuse.

When someone who feels their feet are unapproachable, for whatever reason, allows the Body of Christ to minister to them in this way despite their misgivings, they give us a great gift. As long as only people with clean-smelling feet come forward, we do not get the full sense of the depth of loving service which Jesus gave us as an example.

I'm thankful for the response of our parish to this invitation. And I hope that next year even those who are reluctant will allow us to serve them, and in turn be served by them, in this special way.