The Easter Triduum begins tonight with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and culminates with the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Here are a few thoughts about the extraordinary servant-leader Love of Jesus.

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. These days our feet tend to get a good wash at least once every day in the shower. We rub in lotion to make them softer and less smelly. We cushion our shoes with comfy socks that encase our feet, keeping them away from things like dirt.

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 their smelly feet gently in His hands and washes the grime away.

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

Jesus Christ, on His knees with a towel and basin, washes their smelly feet, teaching the disciples (and 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 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… This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:12, John 15:12)

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