Choose one or both of the following to write about:
1.) Write about a 'footwashing experience' you have had - either literally or figuratively.
2.) Write about what you would have done if you were at that last supper. Who would you have talked to, what would you have overheard and what would you have said to Jesus?
Maundy Thursday -
ReplyDeleteMandatum =
Commandment:
Serve
Wash
Give
Love
Dying to live.
Thinking about the meaning of Jesus washing of his disciple’s feet and commissioning them to serve others, I thought of many incredible and kind things that people have done for me over the years. However, my mind couldn’t help but come back to my husband after each thought.
ReplyDeleteA mutual friend introduced me to my husband in an old frat bar one evening in August, 1998. She said that he was the nicest guy she ever met. I was understandably skeptical, given my experience with “nice guys” quote-unquote and my dating history in general. I immediately put him to the test. I was horrid that night. I talked about uncomfortable topics (religion, feminism, etc.) and was sarcastic and guarded. He didn’t leave my side until kindly offering me a ride home, which he did in a gentlemanly way. I was baffled by his chivalry in the face of my brattiness. Don’t worry – I got nicer. Eventually, I started trusting that he was genuine in his niceness – a quality that he never announced, like other “nice guys” because he didn’t have to. And luckily, I was cute. And, I think I was interesting to him as well. In truth, we have both been fascinated by each other for our whole 13 years of our relationship – 10 of those married ones.
According to the 5 love languages book, Jim’s ‘love language’ – the way he demonstrates his love, is service. It was hard for me to understand at first –he bought me my first cell phone after I lost my purse at a sales meeting for work so that I’d never have to beg for quarters to call for a ride again. He cooked for me, he opened my door and took my hand – not in an aggressive or self-important way, but he generally loved and cared for me. (to be continued...)
...(continued) My husband’s first Christmas present to me was a jacket. That was one of the moments when I knew that he was ‘the one’. Others might receive more flashy gift, but I got a jacket. You see, when I moved to Seattle from LA, I didn’t even HAVE a jacket. I bought a lined windbreaker on my way up and that’s what I wore in my first snow with lots of sweater-layering. I didn’t have a decent jacket and I was always cold – not due to finances, but I was just truly clueless about Seattle weather : ) Jim bought me the biggest, warmest jacket I’ve ever seen. I almost couldn’t put my arms down because it was so puffy. And it was beautiful, classic, and did I mention warm? I knew that he wanted to care for me and he hasn’t stopped in these 13 years in all the little and big things he does for me every day – finishing off the dishes, cleaning up the kitchen, picking me up after I descend into an over-committed chaotic mess, the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it’s hard to be the recipient of his giving nature. That sounds weird, but it is hard having such a giving person in the relationship when you know you can never compete. And that it’s not a competition. He has high standards for himself that sometimes leave him weary and I want to make sure that he is being served as well. Not just because he deserves it, but because he is a good man and I love him. I am not the only one that he has given his whole self to service for – I have seen him serve his friends and family in ways that have filled me with both respect and apprehension for his energy and heart.
I am not writing this to brag about my husband. I do, however, witness his giving nature in all the tiny ways that he doesn’t think I see as we daily juggle the craziness of having small children and have built our relationship from that first night we met. He never takes any credit and will be embarrassed beyond measure to read this, but hopefully with a bit of pride too. I try to shield him from people that might take advantage of his open, giving nature, and he is a savvy and smart man, so he knows how and when to use his gift, but I am witness to the great lengths he has gone for those that are in his heart - lengths that he and I both know about and can pick out from our past together. Jim has always looked up to his dad and mom who were his first teachers about the power and strength of awe-inspiring love.
by Pat Mason
ReplyDeleteThe Last Supper.
So much transpired then, so little of it understood at the time.
As Jesus had done since the day he was born here on earth, he showed us how to live.
And as is the custom of his teachings, we are to learn not only from the literal act but from the symbolic act as well.
Humble Service
ReplyDeleteYears ago I attended one of my first “women’s retreats” sponsored by my Lutheran church. Our two boys were preschool age, so I was eager to have an entire weekend away.
I don’t recall the exact title of the retreat, but it was about “service”. I was impressed with the programs for the weekend. They were designed by hand. No computer magic in those days. The cover had a hand-drawn bowl and pitcher with an actual small towel affixed in just the right place. Some dear woman or women had cut towels of many colors and designed tiny towels. The title, agenda, Bible verses, and all were typed and copied on the mimeograph machine, just the way the church bulletins were done at the time.
The retreat was integrated with all the many tasks of service we “had” to do as women, wives, and mothers while exploring our service for God. You can imagine the conflict stirred up in so many women’s hearts along with the emotional and physical stress they already experienced. We struggled together and personally, looking for the balance God calls us to.
The high-point of the retreat was when we gathered for our worship service and found a bowl and pitcher filled with water and stacks of lovely towels. We had a footwashing ceremony. Two women took turns at the bowl and pitcher. One was seated in a chair, while the other knelt on the floor at the bowl. Each taking her turn to carefully pour water over the other’s one foot and then the other. Then, she took a towel and dried one foot at a time. The room was quiet. The only sound was the water pouring over the feet and into the bowl. Each “servant” took special care as she washed and dried the feet.
I was spiritually touched as both the servant and the receiver of the gift. The lessons I learned at that retreat have stayed with me. Sometimes the lessons of true service have remained clear but never easy.
Perhaps, if we experienced a footwashing ceremony together in our faith community more often, the balance of service to others would come easier.
DyAnn Dennie
Lenten Prompt #44 Maunday Thursday April 5 2012
ReplyDeleteFootwashing
(before)
I wear shoes
always
even at home
I show my feet
to no one
to keep them safe
I am alone
For 3 years
I invite no one home
I show my inner self
to no one
to keep me safe
I am alone
(sinking down)
I surround myself
with boxes
and saved things
I hide from the world
and pain
to keep safe
I am alone
and trapped
(footwashing)
God hears
my silent prayers
and cries
God sends angels
to rescue me
from myself
Mother, Father,
Sisters, Daughters,
Brothers-in-Law,
Sons-in-Law,
Friends, Counselors,
and Strangers
All join in knowingly
They swoop down to help me
They go through
all my boxes and
saved things
They dig me out
They pick me up
They pack me up
But now
I am totally exposed
I let them see everything
I let them see my inner self
They can see my strengths
They can see my weaknesses
They can see my helplessness
Still they give
of themselves
And ask nothing in return
Save that I heal
They bind up my hidden wounds
They move me out
They move my heart
I begin to heal
(resurrection)
Now I wear shoes
at home
but
I know I am loved
I know I am not alone
and
I know I am safe
in God's Love
s.h.