Father Nick on Foot Washing
I always write these little devotions at the last minute, which means I am writing this on Maundy Thursday for you to read on Good Friday. Tonight, some basins will be set up by the altar guild and the congregation will be invited to come up and wash each other’s feet, which feels a bit taboo and cringe-worthy, and that is kind of the point. As Episcopalians, our services can be moving, while not being emotive. We are masters of embracing the mystery of God’s grace, but in the most orderly way possible. When the disciples were getting their feet washed by their teacher, savior, and friend, they had nowhere to hide. The facades that they used to try to hide from Christ faded away, and they were left vulnerable with nothing between their filthy feet and their savior prepared to die for them. As Jesus finishes washing their feet, he commends them to wash each other’s feet as well.