Today is Maundy Thursday, when we commemorate the Last Supper and Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet. My church is having a Tenebrae service (service of darkness), which will include a potluck supper and communion, and end with selected readings from Matthew’s gospel, followed by the extinguishing of candles, until just one candle, the Christ candle, remains lit. We will then all disperse in silence to our homes.
I am disappointed that feet washing * will not be part of this service. Believe me, it is extremely humbling to have one’s feet washed by another. In reflecting on Peter’s resistance to Jesus’ offer to wash his feet, I’m reminded of how I resist offers of unconditional love. When someone offers me a kindness, I always want to pay them back; but worse than that, I want my payback to be just a little better, just a little more noble than what I received. Humility is a challenge, but God forgives us again and again, even seven times seventy.
* The story of Jesus washing his disciples feet is only in John’s Gospel 13. 1-20. The Last Supper is in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but not in John.
I am disappointed that feet washing * will not be part of this service. Believe me, it is extremely humbling to have one’s feet washed by another. In reflecting on Peter’s resistance to Jesus’ offer to wash his feet, I’m reminded of how I resist offers of unconditional love. When someone offers me a kindness, I always want to pay them back; but worse than that, I want my payback to be just a little better, just a little more noble than what I received. Humility is a challenge, but God forgives us again and again, even seven times seventy.
* The story of Jesus washing his disciples feet is only in John’s Gospel 13. 1-20. The Last Supper is in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but not in John.
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