Holy Thursday takes us to the Upper Room where the first thing Jesus did was wash the feet of the disciples, humbly like a servant.

Across the world this evening thousands of lay people will have their feet washed by clergy. If my feet were chosen to be in-public-washees, I’d make sure they were clean, really clean.

At the time of Jesus, however, most folks wore sandals. It gets decidedly dusty walking around the Middle East, which would make the disciples’ feet dirty and smelly. But Jesus takes those smelly feet gently in His hands and washes the grime away.

Jesus, their Teacher. Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus, the Son of God.

Jesus, on His knees with a towel and basin, washing their feet.

Teaching them (& us) how to love one another.

If we loved others a little more often (vs. our readiness to judge others) maybe (just maybe) we might fulfill what Jesus Christ asked us to do:

“Do you know what I have done to you? If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet… As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love… This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:12, 14; John 15:9,12)

It’s time to put on our aprons of faith, roll up our sleeves and start washing smelly feet – loving each other as Christ loves us.

grace, peace & smelly feet love

Virginia : )

“Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.”  Saint Pope John Paul, II