Stinky Feet

Of all of our body parts that we can boast or complain about, I don't think I have ever heard any say, 

"I LOVE my feet - wanna take a look??"  

More often than not, we are trying to do what we can to cover them up, or in the warmer months, disguising them in color so as to avert any eyes from noticing the details.  But, its just those details that I am pondering today.  

You might say I've had a foot fetish the past couple weeks.  It all started with the story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with extravagant scent, and washing his feet with her hair.   I have taught this story many times to many ages.  My classes have made "nard", smelled all kinds of things, talked about noses, etc.  We have joked about stinky feet.  My favorite was when boys donned a Hannah Montana wig and acted out the scene.  It's a great story of love.

Now here we are at Maundy Thursday - a day to celebrate the Last Supper..but also that moment when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.  Such a simple act with such a powerful message.

Here's the thing I can't seem to stop thinking about.    When you wash someone's feet, you HAVE to get up close.  You see the details.  The washer has to either bend over to reach, and come face-to-toe.  Or, the washer might lift a foot off the ground and hold it in a lap?  The logistics may vary, but there is no avoiding the fact that you WILL see the foot and every blemish and bunion on it.  It is a very intimate act.

Today, I was able to participate in a prayer service where over 500 students, teachers, staff and parents took turns washing and drying each others' hands (logistics being what they are, feet are hard to do in that great a number).  I stood back for a bit just watching, and even with just hands you can see the emotions that folks experience submitting to others for this humble act.  Some folks were just plain uncomfortable having others do unto them.

Cause, it's not just about the "footwasher" and the show of love that it represents.  As the receiver of that cleansing, you make yourself vulnerable.  You let someone else see the details.  Jesus told his disciples that as he washed their feet, so they need to wash each others' feet.  And we as Christians are called to do the same.  This requires actions on both the giver and the receiver.  As receivers, we need to allow ourselves to become vulnerable;  to let others' see our details.  And as foot washers, we need to respect those that offer their feet to us, and accept them and love them  - bunions and all.

I don't think I have ever experienced a foot washing service in a church as part of worship, even as merely a dramatic demonstration.  I imagine logistically it can get messy.  Funny - my pastor last week referenced that we don't like some of the "messiness" of Holy Week.  He mostly meant the blood and gore of the crucifixion I think...but maybe the "messiness" of stinky feet is something else we just don't want to deal with??

Wishing everyone a blessed experience on this Holy Week journey.