Thursday, April 9, 2009

May I wash your feet?




Today is Maundy Thursday (well actually it's Good Friday here in Oz, but my American head and heart are always a day behind at this time of year)...
and I would like to offer to wash your feet.

I know it sounds strange, but it's always been a tradition that we followed growing up and it continued right up until I left the US for Australia.
Here, I get odd looks and most folks say that they aren't religious.... so I get a lot of "No Thanks"!

Here's quick explanation of Maundy Thursday:

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It's the Thursday before Easter and it commemorates the Last Supper.On this day, we remember the Last Supper.
Before the meal, Jesus washed his disciples feet, and during the meal Jesus took bread and wine and shared them with his disciples.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(Matthew 26:26-29)

The night of Maundy Thursday is also the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The name 'Maundy' comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning a commandment.

Jesus, at the Last Supper, commanded:
'And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' John 15:12

And as as way of showing the love that Jesus had for us, and the love that we should have for one another, he washed his disciples feet.

I grew up being a foot-washer. I grew up putting the needs of others before myself and getting down there and showin' the love - and well... it was just an important part of the Easter holiday for me.

I don't know if it was completely part-and-parcel of Quaker teaching, but what could be kinder, more loving, or more thoughtful than to kneel at the feet of someone/s and to wash their sins away, in honor of Christ?

So, I'll humbly ask you again....

May I wash your feet?


19 comments:

Libby's Library said...

This is such a special post...I'm not even gonna mention the C word.

You can wash mine, if you'll let me wash yours!

Have a Blessed Easter, my dear special friend!

Tatersmama said...

Libby... Thank You !

And if you won't mention the C word.. then I will! Did you know that Crisco is an EXCELLENT moisturizer? I've been using on the footsies and tootsies, and my heels are now as soft and smooth as a baby's butt!

Have a Blessed Easter, my friend!

Reddirt Woman said...

I not only would wash your feet, but I would even rub the Crisco on them and rub it in... then you could wash my feet, too.

Beautiful post. Many thanks, my friend for this post.

Helen

Treehouse Chef said...

I grew up in a church where we had a real foot washing service once a year. The tradition frowned on women wearing pants so most wore dresses with pantyhose which they did not remove ever even during foot washings. Let me tell you their feet smelled really bad!!

Shelby said...

This IS a special post. Thank you for sharing it.

Robynn's Ravings said...

With the representation of washing away sins in the foot washing, I'm afraid if you washed mine you would have leg cramps before you were done with that job. But, yes, you can if you like and then I will do the same. But my job would be far shorter I'm sure!

THANK YOU though, Katie, in all seriousness for that lovely posting today and for reminding us all of what this time of year is all about. Just a lovely post my little California friend. :) xoxoxoXo

Anonymous said...

I participated in this one year at church, Holy Thursday the washing of the feet. Its very spiritual. Be blessed this Easter season.

rubiesrnotpurple said...

Come on over girl. We can foot wash to our hearts content. I used to wash my mother's feet ... so long ago now.
Happy Easter Kate.

Katidids said...

Beautiful! I just came home from Mass where we did just this! Isaiah(5) insisted on washing his sister Evies feet(1month). Father made us stop in the middle of services to run and get his camera...4 generations..sharing this special gift together. Hope I can get a copy but even if I can't its locked in the memory vault
Have a Blessed Easter

Irene said...

Hi Katie if I had remembered I would have come past yesterday.
Hope the Easter bunny hops past on Sunday.
Irene

Homestay Mama said...

Katie, your post brought tears to my eyes. So beautifully written!

The church I grew up in did not practice foot washing, but the Mennonite schools I attended did! So I am familiar with this religious tradition.

And yes, dear friend, you can wash my feet, and I'll gladly wash yours!

May God give you special blessings this Easter!

Hugs, my dear friend.

Paula said...

Thank you for this post. I think lots of people think Easter is just candy and eggs.

Neabear said...

We did a foot washing at our service last night. My feet were washed with lavendar scented water. I then washed the feet of the next person. If a person could not get down on the ground to wash feet then then one of the pastor's did it. Not very many people participate in the foot washing. They find it too intimate or maybe embarrassed to bare their feet. I did wish more participated in the foot washing. Then at the end of the service the altar was stripped of its paraments and accessories while Psalm 22 was being read. We end the service in darkness. My husband was the one to read Psalm 22.

Becky said...

I really loved this post. You can wash my feet but have to watch out for my still sore big toe, but it is getting better everyday. Have a blessed Easter and don't eat too much chocolate. You always make me smile!

The Blonde Duck said...

I think it's wonderful you're carrying on the tradition!

Nancy M. said...

Wonderful post! You are the sweetest thing! I hope y'all have a Happy Easter!

私のブログ (My Blog) said...

Very intersting

BY :

http://palembang-musi.blogspot.com/
http://all-dowload.blogspot.com/

Jan Mader said...

You always inspire me. This lovely post humbled me and made me think about the love that the Lord has for all of us.

My family is dealing with an impending death right now. My mother-in-law has been really sick since February. On Monday, she chose to have all life support stopped.

She is ready to be with the Lord...your post reminded me once again how beautfiul that meeting will be.

A Joyful Chaos said...

Thank you so much for this post. It addresses a subject that has been laying on my heart for quite a while now. You had such a sincere touching way of writing it.


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