Smelly feet

Do we have to wash feet at church? Could we skip that ceremony? How about if we wash each other’s hands instead? It’s a good thing the liturgy doesn’t require the ministers to strip off their outer clothing as Jesus did. We want to keep our dignity at church. We don’t want to show our vulnerability, our shame, our regrets, our smelly feet. Isn’t that sad?

The church is supposed to be a hospital for sinners, not the place where you have to wear a dignified mask. The church is supposed to be the place where we know we are accepted, forgiven, welcomed, no matter what our past. The church is the place where we practice love and receive it before we exit the building. Outside the building will be judgment and bullying and cynicism and hardness. That’s where it will be difficult to show love.

After foot-washing comes the Lord’s Supper. Jesus feeds us himself. He comes inside us and gives us the strength to follow his example.

Thank you, Jesus, for washing my smelly feet and for feeding me so I can do the same for others. Amen. — DAR