Smelly feet

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

          I recall seeing a movie once where a parent who was very old, was infirmed and needed the constant attention of their adult child. From feeding and diaper changing and cleaning, it was a demanding job. Not only did the 'child' have to care for the parent in the most intimate of terms, the parent was placed in the role of infant. There were deep emotions, role reversals for both parties involved.  What it wound up showing though was that to the child it was a labor of love and a small repayment for all the parent had done for them over the years. The parent learned how to be dependant on the child and accept the love and service in spite of their pride.

          Today we have Jesus washing the Apostles feet. In any circumstance we would say feet are not something that are fresh. Smelly, dirty and sweaty might be adjectives that come to our mind. I know that on this Maundy Thursday in churches where the pastor washes parishioners feet at the altar, the volunteers are very few and there is always a bit of arm twisting involved to get those 'volunteers'. What should be an honour we find hard to accept and the idea of having our feet out for everyone to see - in church! Well, heaven forbid!

           Perhaps the feelings were not that much different in Jesus' time except then, there were really no shoes and socks to speak of. Sandals were the order of the day, transportation was mostly by foot and the roads, such as they were, were dirt, dust and mud. Feet were generally the dirtiest part of the body. Imagine how the Apostles felt when Jesus decided to wash their feet. This was perhaps a foreshadowing of just how deep Jesus would submit for us. Later his submission and humiliation would be complete.

           So I have to ask, how are you at accepting gifts from others? Just today I offered a small token to a coworker and the response was yes but there might be someone more worthy. I tried to assure her, no one is more worthy. Conversely, how are we at submitting ourselves to others? Jesus is the ultimate example. How are we at putting our self last and putting everyone else first? Tough questions for sure.

         If we want to be true disciples, let us recall what Peter said, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Let us be emersed in the passion and love of the Lord.

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,

got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me."

Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"

Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you."

For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am.

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.

If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.'

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."