<html><body>Here's the draft for Thursday evening ... Good Tuesday to you all.<br><br>Bob<br><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN, ALBANY<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:3"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>MAUNDY THURSDAY</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">EXODUS
12:1-14 <span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>2<sup>nd</sup> APRIL, 2015</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">1
CORINTHIANS 11:23-26<span style="mso-tab-count:4"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>PSALM 116:1-2, 12-19</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">JOHN
13:1-17, 31b-35<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>This Feast has been planned for such
a long time. Jesus told the disciples to find the room where they could celebrate.
There was an implication there that the owner of the room would know what was
meant, what all Jesus would need. Jesus Himself was part of the preparation and
participation. And all was made ready for what had been planned and would unfold
at the time appointed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Around the world, different customs
have developed about how to celebrate what is illustrated by the way so many
different people are drawn together tonight. In Britain, the monarch attends a
special liturgy at which Jesus’ hospitality of recalled. Then the Royal Maundy
is given. The Royal Maundy are special sterling silver coins struck for this
occasion. They’re given to pensioners over age seventy, some of whose lives may
often hang by a slender thread, who may not be able to eat on any given day
because of a lack of money. They’re given on nomination by local congregations
because of service to the community. There’s a direct tie, numerically, in this
gift and the recipients, according to the number of years the monarch has
reigned. There’s a reminder of the blessings of the wealthy and the ability to
respond to others. It’s not the only way this can be done, of course. But what
happened earlier today in Sheffield Cathedral was something done publically.
Whatever else may happen is not done with fanfare, but this is a small way in
which welcome and the importance of belonging to the human family of God can be
acknowledged. <sup>1</sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>In other words, no matter what one’s
economic, or social, or political, or religious background, the Feast of Jesus’
Offering becomes part of the lives of everyone, as represented in the way
Elizabeth and the pensioners interacted some hours ago. It signifies something
substantial given and received, a reminder of the depth of the joy mixed with
the solemnity, tinged with anxiety of something unknown. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Perhaps a better known act on this
day is the repetition of Jesus’ washing of feet. As you know, every Jewish host
was bound by the laws of hospitality and humanity to ensure everyone’s feet
were washed and soothed when entering the house, and before eating. How this
had slipped the attention of those gathering with Jesus for supper isn’t known.
What <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>IS</u></b> recorded is that in
mid meal, Jesus broke off with tradition and did what no Jewish servant would
have done. He, the leader, the one whom Peter confessed was the Messiah; He
performed this subservient act, to the point of getting in touch with Peter’s
feelings and breaking through one more barrier between them. But that was Jesus’
way. If something prevented any person from being able to receive and
appreciate the enormity of God’s Love, it must be taken away. That Love <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>MUST</u></b> be evident and available at
all times, not matter what the situation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Perhaps, in line with Britain’s
monarchic tradition on Maundy Thursday, one of the most publicized acts of the
Church Catholic is the way that Popes have emulated Jesus on this night,
sometimes upsetting all sorts of people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Last year, Pope Francis washed the
feet of elderly and infirm people. The year before he washed feet of young
people at a juvenile prison, people including Muslims and a young woman,
something that set people reaching for their smelling salts. Muslims, well,
perhaps; but a woman – that hadn’t been done before, knowingly, in accordance
with liturgical tradition. But then, Francis, like Jesus, seems to be able to
see when tradition itself is the barrier to God’s Love reaching and embracing
everyone. So, this year, Francis is going back to prison, to make contact with
those whom society would probably rather not see, far less touch or kiss. <sup>2</sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Religion – of which Christianity is
one – is such a sensitive thing. It calls us to make contact, to bring people
together, to find ways to encourage and demonstrate the forgiveness and
complete cleansing offered by God. The interesting thing is that there’s no
record of Jesus indicating this relationship with God which we proclaim and
demonstrate in baptism. For Jesus, it comes in the washing of feet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>For me there’s something incredibly
comforting in this knowledge – that Jesus, despite His preoccupation with the
darkness of the atmosphere and the threat of incredible pain, despite what lay
ahead, He drew His friends – way more than twelve, by the way – around Him, to
show them how everything in creation was being drawn together, how everything
was being focused on the food, on the water, on the wine in front of them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Poor Indiana! It’s certainly taking
a lot of criticism this past week. What may have begun in some quarters as
satire has taken on the face of reality when the matter of identification has
been brought up. One commentator wrote, “</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">What's
a God-fearing Indiana merchant to do if I walk in the door? Am I
responsible for his damnation if I let him serve me without mentioning that I'm
gay and he doesn't guess it? Must he ask all customers about potential
offenses to his faith?” <sup>3</sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Whom did Jesus card that night? Of
course, He knew them – but that didn’t always work in their favor. In fact, if
Jesus and I were to trade places at that basin of water, I might have a hard
time with some feet. But the point is that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>NO
ONE</u></b> is excluded – from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>ANY</u></b>thing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Think of the times we’ve been under
such stress that our whole routines have been shaken. Think of the times that
lie ahead of us. In life, there <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>IS</u></b>
a fair bit that’s known and somewhat predictable. We have a somewhat better
chance of understanding what will happen that forecasters have of determining
when it’s going to rain. But there is still so much in life that is
unpredictable.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>There is one thing, however, on which
we can depend absolutely. The Love of God can never, and will never, be taken
from us, the Love of God demonstrated at the water basin as well as at the
altar, and so many other places, and through so many people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The same hands which took the Bread and gave
it, after the blessing, with the words, “This is my body”; the same hands which
took a cup of wine from the table and said, “This is my blood”; eat, drink <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>ALL</u></b> of you; the same hands took
a towel and a basin of water and washed feet; the same hands will be pierced
for you and for, and for all in less that twenty-four hours after washing, and
eating, and drinking. And it was done so that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><u>ALL</u></b> may come within the reach of Jesus’ saving embrace.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>There <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><u>ARE</u></b> no exceptions to Jesus’ Love. Everything is ready!<br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Christ washed the feet of Judas!<br>
The dark and evil passions of his soul,<br>
<span class="textexposedshow">His secret plot, and sordidness complete,</span><br>
<span class="textexposedshow">His hate, his purposing, Christ knew the whole,</span><br>
<span class="textexposedshow">And still in love he stooped and washed his feet.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Christ washed the feet of Judas!<br>
Yet all his lurking sin was bare to him,<br>
His bargain with the priest, and more than this,<br>
In Olivet, beneath the moonlight dim<br>
Aforehand knew and felt his treacherous kiss.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Christ washed the feet of Judas!<br>
And so ineffable his love 'twas meet,<br>
That pity fill his great forgiving heart,<br>
And tenderly to wash the traitor's feet,<br>
Who in his Lord had basely sold his part.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Christ washed the feet of Judas!<br>
And thus a girded servant, self-abased,<br>
Taught that no wrong this side the gate of heaven<br>
Was ever too great to wholly be effaced,<br>
And though unasked, in spirit be forgiven.<br>
And so if we have ever felt the wrong<br>
Of Trampled rights, of caste, it matters not,<br>
What e'er the soul has felt or suffered long,<br>
Oh, heart! this one thing should not be forgot:<br>
Christ washed the feet of Judas.<sup> 4</sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">NOTES:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"> </p>
<h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";
font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[1]</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";font-weight:normal;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDQQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itv.com%2Fnews%2Fcalendar%2Fupdate%2F2015-01-20%2Fthe-queen-to-visit-sheffield-for-maundy-thursday%2F&ei=EPMaVZy8BcfjoAT0i4L4BQ&usg=AFQjCNH4LyG4uuauH4sIQE6rh1WKKpbNyQ&bvm=bv.89744112,d.cGU&cad=rja">The
Queen to visit Sheffield for Maundy Thursday | Calendar ...</a> <cite><span style="font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><a href="http://www.itv.com/.../the-queen-to-visit-sheffield-for-maundy-thursday/"><span style="font-style:normal">www.itv.com/.../the-queen-to-visit-sheffield-for-</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;font-style:normal">maundy</span><span style="font-style:normal">-thursday/</span></a> </span></cite><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicherald.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2015%2F03%2F11%2Fpope-francis-will-wash-the-feet-of-prisoners-on-maundy-thursday%2F&ei=6_saVa3MNMLxoASij4C4DA&usg=AFQjCNEAmbFSKgIN9Pr7DRvdBrFxvQcmtQ&bvm=bv.89744112,d.cGU">Pope
Francis will wash the feet of prisoners on Maundy ...</a> <cite><span style="font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/.../pope-francis-will-wash"><span style="font-style:normal">www.catholicherald.co.uk/.../pope-francis-will-wash</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></span></cite></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman"">Civil Liberties: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-font-kerning:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">“Why a Gay Man Like
Me Is Going to Make It Hard for Indiana Shopkeepers to Exercise Their ‘Religious
Liberty’: </span>Am I responsible for their damnation if I let ’ em serve me
without mentioning that I'm gay and they don't guess it? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">By</span></i> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:
italic"><a href="http://www.alternet.org/authors/john-moyers"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">John Moyers</span></a></span>
/ <a href="http://alternet.org"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:
none;text-underline:none">AlterNet</span></a> <i>March 28, 2015</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><a href="http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/why-gay-man-me-going-make-it-hard-indiana-shopkeepers-exercise-their-religious">http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/why-gay-man-me-going-make-it-hard-indiana-shopkeepers-exercise-their-religious</a></span>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"">4</span></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“THE FEET OF JUDAS”</i> by George Marion
McClellan. See James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“The Book of American Negro Poetry”.</i> 1922.
<cite><span style="font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa""><a href="http://www.bartleby.com/"><span style="font-style:normal">www.bartleby.com/</span></a>..</span></cite></span></p><br><br><p>-----------------------------------------</p><br> Robert P Morrison<br>St. Alban's Episcopal Church<br>PO Box 1556<br>Albany, OR 97321<br><br>541-921-1076</body></html>