Mandatum, y’all!

The what, why, and how of the Gospel.

It is Maundy Thursday, the day we honor all kinds of things like the Last Supper, a foot washing, and the command to love one another. It is, quite honestly, one of my favorite services of the year.

Of course, I like feet. Some people, however, really don’t like feet. It’s interesting to me that the Bible gives little to no instruction on how to navigate the fetishists and the phobics at the same time.

Safe space, y’all. But I digress…

The commandment to serve one another is what I wish to underscore today. The washing of feet is the symbolic action that describes the love we are to have for one another. Vulnerable. Humble. Servile, even. We are to offer ourselves fully to one another. It’s a wild commandment and most of us balk at it. Can we trust one another not to take advantage or abuse such a posture from our kindred in faith? Knowing how the story of Jesus’ life is going to go is a harsh reminder of what kind of risk we take when we live so lovingly for one another.

Today’s Franciscan Nugget: “Day Twenty Eight - The Third Note - Joy - Tertiaries, rejoicing in the Lord always, show in our lives the grace and beauty of divine joy. We remember that we follow the Son of Man, who came eating and drinking, who loved the birds and the flowers, who blessed little children, who was a friend of tax collectors and sinners, and who sat at the tables of both the rich and the poor. We delight in fun and laughter, rejoicing in God's world, its beauty and its living creatures, calling nothing common or unclean. We mix freely with all people, ready to bind up the broken-hearted and to bring joy into the lives of others. We carry within them an inner peace and happiness which others may perceive, even if they do not know its source.”

I know some of us are thinking, “But the Eucharist! We show our love by eating together and such!” I know. And tonight is when we celebrate its institution. Yes, but the commandment to love one another is the why regarding the what of the Eucharist. Foot washing is the how.

I’m going to order dinner now. Y’all be excellent to each other.

Oh. Here are my feet. The polish was for St. Patrick’s Day. I need to update my color!