Maundy Thursday

Peter never had the opportunities we have. After all, he didn't even know that Jesus was going to wash his feet. With no advance warning, he hardly could have made arrangements to have a pedicure first. I mean really.

I understand Peter's reluctance to allow Jesus to wash his feet. It would be tantamount to having the President of the United States show up unexpectedly for dinner, take off his suit coat, bend down and scrub my dirty feet that had been tromping around all day in sandals in dusty fields and gardens. No, if we knew he was coming, we would have done our best spit and polish routine.

But isn't that what we do for Maundy Thursday services? We know well in advance that there will be a foot washing, and we prepare for it. No one is going to touch my dirt. No, I will scrub and polish (letting those who are willing and get paid for such work take care of the bad gunk). Which says :

1) I don't want anyone to know the truth about how needy and dirty I am and
2) I am too independent to accept real help from anyone - I will pay my own way and
3) I am willing to go through the motions but not allow myself to be touched by anything really significant.

Perhaps we have to come to the place where we really can't do for ourselves before we accept any ministry that is meant to heal, to make us part of a community, to allow God to touch us. Like when I have just had a chemo treatment and I can barely lift my head from the pillow. I am extremely grateful when someone brings me a cup of cold water and lifts the glass to my lips, letting the refreshing coolness soothe my parched throat and hydrate my toxic system.

It does something to both of us. I am deeply moved that someone, who owes me nothing, took time to both recognize my situation and to do something about it that was really helpful to me without being asked. They are touched by knowing that they are valuable and have done something of service for another, that their goodness is being brought forth. We form a bond that ties us together. It loosens hard areas in both our hearts.

We miss so much by waiting until we are desperate before coming to God. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we came to God without desperation, for cleansing, yes, for a touch from the Almighty, yes, for fellowship, yes, for allowing ourselves to be part of his family!

If we experienced that, we would say, with Peter, not just my feet but all of me. Touch my entire being and make me into what I ought to be.