[Propertalk] Maundy Thursday

Tue Apr 19 01:37:26 EDT 2011

This is headed towards the editor's desk 8 - )

Happy Holy Tuesday!

Bob

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY  			       MAUNDY THURSDAY A 
RCL
EXODUS 12:1-14						         	      20th APRIL, 2011
1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26			  		                 PSALM 116:1, 10-17
JOHN 13:1-17, 31b-35

	There can be a somewhat nervous feeling about sitting at table in the 
Parish Hall, knowing that a service, one of the three most holy 
liturgies of the entire year, is to begin in an hour. Not everyone will 
come to the supper, of course. Some have work or some other engagement 
which necessitates finishing up loose ends, and are not able to be here 
right at six. Some have family matters, pressing ones, which simply 
can’t be dropped. Others may have food allergies and are uncertain 
whether or not they can eat what’s presented at super – all good 
reasons.

Others ARE able to be at the supper, but their minds may be drifting off 
towards the music, or altar preparations, or bulletins, or any number of 
the details which will make the worship run smoothly and meaningfully.

Some may be watching the clock constantly, knowing that there are a 
finite number of minutes in which to accomplish eating, and talking, and 
cleaning up, and vesting for the service, and getting into their places 
with enough time so that none of this seems automatic or 
less-than-smooth.

It’s not easy living in our world, whether we’re retired or engaged in 
regular economic and labour interaction on a daily basis. Sometimes we 
long for less stress, less fuss, the more simple age.

But then, maybe things were just as complicated, just as tense, in every 
preceding generation.

As Jesus sent His friends off to make arrangements for their religious 
observance, their special meal; as Jesus talked to people in the streets 
of Jerusalem; as Jesus took note of what was going on in the Temple; as 
Jesus tried to keep the interest and focus of His friends on the matter 
at hand, He too must have felt incredible stress.

Yet, somehow, He was able to get His people gathered around Him for one 
last sharing of food, one last conversation about was going on in their 
lives and the city, and how God’s love could and would have a profound 
impact on them.

That’s part of what it meant to “empty Himself” of all that He COULD 
have claimed and, instead, He filled Himself with all the pressures of 
this life, and LIVED them every instant of His days.

It was in the intensity of what it meant to be human that Jesus showed 
how everything in life is to be prioritized; how everything in life is, 
and is to be, related. And as He showed, so He expects us to follow.

Not an easy task. It seldom is for followers, so Jesus gave us actions 
and words – “show and tell” from two thousand years ago. “DO this in 
remembrance of me.” And what we’re called to do has such incredible 
intimacy that there are times when we feel quite uncomfortable with 
them.

Touch peoples’ feet – think about that. Some people have feet so 
sensitive that they can’t stand anyone other than themselves touching 
them. The mere thought of having someone contact them can make some 
tense up and freeze. “I don’t care who you are or what you think you’re 
doing. You’re not touching MY feet!”

I can sympathise. Not that we’re into hurting, nor being controlling, 
never mind sadistic, but the thought that someone might tickle makes me 
mentally pull my feet away.

Jesus, however, calls us not to worry. Even if someone IS rough, or 
thoughtless, we’re called to trust our feet into the care of others.

As someone with diabetes, I know all about foot care. It’s one of the 
things of which all diabetics have to be very careful. Allowing someone 
else to bathe one’s feet, then, is a gift to them – something we 
shouldn’t deny them. We have to become so generous with who we are and 
what we have that we share our very feet, the part of our bodies that 
comes closest in contact with the earth – the dust of which we are made, 
and of which we reminded ourselves on Ash Wednesday. Because by making 
ourselves vulnerable, we allow others to offer their gifts, just as we, 
in our turn, will be called to offer them gifts.

“Be completely comfortable with yourselves,” said Jesus. “And be 
comfortable with others. Your body is a gift from God.”

However, once Jesus has invited us to live this life of comfort with our 
humanity and our life of service, then He calls us back to the Table 
where He offers Himself as the means to be strengthened for this life of 
service.

“Do (these things) in memory of Me,” He said, “no matter how busy you 
are.”

That’s a tall order. Even when – ESPECIALLY when – we feel the most 
busy, the most preoccupied, the most downcast, the most unworthy – no 
matter what our feelings about ourselves, and our relationship with 
others, and our relationship with Jesus – no matter what, we’re invited 
to come to be cleansed, and to be fed. No matter WHO we are, or how we 
think we look.

		Christ washed the feet of Judas!
		The dark and evil passions of his soul,
		His secret plot, and sordidness complete,
		His hate, his purposing, Christ knew the whole,
		And still in love he stooped and washed his feet.

		Christ washed the feet of Judas!
		Yet all his lurking sin was bare to him,
		His bargain with the priest, and more than this,
		In Olivet, beneath the moonlight dim
		Aforehand knew and felt his treacherous kiss.

		Christ washed the feet of Judas!
		And so ineffable his love 'twas meet,
		That pity fill his great forgiving heart,
		And tenderly to wash the traitor's feet,
		Who in his Lord had basely sold his part.

		Christ washed the feet of Judas!
		And thus a girded servant, self-abased,
		Taught that no wrong this side the gate of heaven
		Was ever too great to wholly be effaced,
		And though unasked, in spirit be forgiven.

		And so if we have ever felt the wrong
		Of Trampled rights, of caste, it matters not,
		What e'er the soul has felt or suffered long,
		Oh, heart! this one thing should not be forgot:
		Christ washed the feet of Judas. 1

And all the while, Jesus’ mind must have been thinking ahead – to the 
Garden – to conversation with His Father in prayer; to what Judas’ 
leaving Him would lead; to painful separation from His friends. Yet even 
with this on His mind, Jesus STILL washed His friends’ feet; He STILL 
passed them the food. He gave them that Bread – and that Wine. And His 
heart must have been incredibly full.

“Do this – .”

NOTE:

1 	“Christ washed the feet of Judas” by George Marion McClellan (1860 - 
1934) Biography – 
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/george-marion-mcclellan

Robert P Morrison
Interim Vicar
The Episcopal Church of St Alban
PO Box 1556
Albany OR  97321   541-921-1076 (cell)