Year 2002 Contributions:
Date: 12 Mar 2002
Time: 12:58:51
Several years ago now on New Year's Eve after I came home from an evening with a family from the parish. It was after midnight and I had seen in the New Year. Tired and all that I was getting ready for bed and remembered that the Christmas tree light were still glowing. I went down the front stars and turned on the lights in the house and as I did so the doorbell rang. You know my thought, "what can this be at this hour?" As I opened the door the most pitable sight was before my eyes. A man in his late 50s was standing there with a light jacket (not a winter coat) and he was leaning on a cane. As he entered the house so did the stench; he had soiled himself. I walked him to the closest chair and he fell into it. "I would have frozen tonite if you hadn't come home." And he may well have since the porch he stood in was only a bit warmere than the outside below 0 temperature. I listened to his story as I went to get clothes of mine for him to change into. I realized I needed to get him cleaned up before I did anything else for him. I was washing his feet when it dawned on me "Jesus has come to visit me." My eyes filled with tears as I washed this man's feet and I knew that feet washing would never be the same for me again. It would have a different meaning. It wouldn't be the neat clean feet but the feet of Jesus in the form of a poor man who needed assistance. Each year when I wash feet I kiss them. Feet are precious things. The feet of a stranger with dirty feet and the face of Christ revealed at once and the same time. Holy Thursday reflection...priest in Iowa
Date: 22 March 2002
Time: 13:00:17
We cannot serve Christ until we have been served by him. In this sense that statement in scripture is incorrect it ought not say:
"It is more blessed to give than to receive"
for the opposite is the reality
"It is more blessed to receive than to give"
Only then can we be truly his disciples ... receiving the gift of his humility in the washing of our feet.
tom in ga
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 07:33:35
It's monday morning and I'm meditating on this scripture for thursday. Here's a thought that struck me.
I was at an Oscar's party last night and my friend's apartment was kind of crowded. There were only a few seats and a sofa available for sitting in, all the rest of the people were stuck standing up or they milled around chatting/watching the program as it unfolded. My friend C. who got there early enough to get place on the sofa continually offered his seat to others.
As soon as C. thought someone was tired of standing up, he would jump up and call out across the room--"hey _____, do you wan't to sit down. Please, take my seat." At first it seemed polite, then it got annoying. We all know people who take it upon themselves worring if everyone else in the room is comfortable. In a positive light, these personalities are the consumate hosts for parties, negatively they are never relaxed at gatherings because they are continually worried because of their generousity.
As C. was annoying me with his obsessiveness (he was sitting next to me), I thought about Simon Peter getting annoyed with Jesus doing this foot washing. "Jesus can't you just relax and enjoy the fellowship of this meal?" The difference between Jesus and C. is that Jesus serves out of his security; C. serves out his insecurity. Jesus is not dependent upon other peoples well- being to feel happy--C. is.
As we consider christian servanthood, let us try to serve out of inner security rather that insecurity.
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 07:44:06
Oh, sorry no name, I'm Zack in Atl.
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 08:13:07
Thank you, priest in Iowa, for sharing. How often my efforts at reaching out seem to be go out and do something then head back home to the nice, warm comfortable home. How very little I actually give of myself - and others would think it a lot. but it is so nothing in comparison to Jesus' giving. --rachel
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 12:00:50
Loved the contribution from the priest in Iowa on washing the feet of a nameless who appeared at his front door. Wonderful witness. Am working on a Maunday Thursday mediation that focuses on Jesus' amazing love & contrasts the betrayals of Peter & Judas. Judas didn't give God time to work in his life; Peter did. Any thoughts?
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 19:27:00
Hi folks, I'm looking for some advice...
This is my third Holy Week in this church, and the third time I will be incorporating a foot-washing ceremony into the service. My predecessor apparently did a hand-washing instead, following a so-called Christian seder. (I have pretty deep feelings about both of these; the seder is sacred to Jewish people, and I find it disrespectful for us to misappropriate it in this way. And Jesus didn't wash hands, he washed feet, and tells us pretty clearly here to do the same.)
The first year, there was much concern that I would expect everyone at the service to come forward to have their feet washed. I assured them that, although all would have the opportunity, I would ask individuals ahead of time. I hoped to have four, and did, and the next year, the same.
This year, the person doing the scheduling tersely informed me that "I could convince no one to do this... maybe if we were washing hands..." Later at a board meeting, two people did come forward, but I was warned that there are people who might stay away from the service because I'm insisting on washing feet.
I don't think I'm being completely unreasonable here, am I? In doing what Jesus told us to do?
And, to the point of this discussion, how do I preach when right now I'm mostly annoyed by people's response? I know they're uncomfortable; GOOD! They're SUPPOSED to be uncomfortable. That's at least part of the point, isn't it?
But is there a way to help them to move beyond the instinctual discomfort to a place where they can examine the source of that discomfort and learn what it is Jesus is saying to them through it?
I'd really love to hear any thoughts... Heather in Sharon
Date: 25 March 2002
Time: 19:27:04
Hi folks, I'm looking for some advice...
This is my third Holy Week in this church, and the third time I will be incorporating a foot-washing ceremony into the service. My predecessor apparently did a hand-washing instead, following a so-called Christian seder. (I have pretty deep feelings about both of these; the seder is sacred to Jewish people, and I find it disrespectful for us to misappropriate it in this way. And Jesus didn't wash hands, he washed feet, and tells us pretty clearly here to do the same.)
The first year, there was much concern that I would expect everyone at the service to come forward to have their feet washed. I assured them that, although all would have the opportunity, I would ask individuals ahead of time. I hoped to have four, and did, and the next year, the same.
This year, the person doing the scheduling tersely informed me that "I could convince no one to do this... maybe if we were washing hands..." Later at a board meeting, two people did come forward, but I was warned that there are people who might stay away from the service because I'm insisting on washing feet.
I don't think I'm being completely unreasonable here, am I? In doing what Jesus told us to do?
And, to the point of this discussion, how do I preach when right now I'm mostly annoyed by people's response? I know they're uncomfortable; GOOD! They're SUPPOSED to be uncomfortable. That's at least part of the point, isn't it?
But is there a way to help them to move beyond the instinctual discomfort to a place where they can examine the source of that discomfort and learn what it is Jesus is saying to them through it?
I'd really love to hear any thoughts... Heather in Sharon
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 05:47:42
Sharon: I understand and share your congregants' discomfort with foot washing -- and I've been a "washer" and a "washee". As a "washee" my discomfort (and I believe most people's) is simply the embarassment of taking off one's shoes in public and allowing someone else to handle them -- we're more likely to talk about sex or money in public than to bare & allow someone else to touch our ugly, maybe dirty, possibly smelly feet.
As a "washer" my discomfort is more "theological" (?).... Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet was culturally relevant; folks washed their feet before entering worship places (muslims still follow this tradition), before entering homes, before sitting down to meals, etc. The washing of another's feet was an act of abject servitude. Jesus' act made theological sense as an example of servant ministry.
Today, foot washing is no longer a culturally signifcant act. Washing feet doesn't make sense to modern folk; I think this is why some church leaders have changed to "hand washing" as a modern parallel -- this _is_ something we do before eating and other activities requiring cleanliness. BUT! we don't employ servants to do this for us, as did the wealthy in 1st Century Palestine. So, although the washing of hands makes sense, the act of washing another's hands doesn't.
The cunundrum is, "What can we do that mirror's Jesus' act in a culturally relevant way? What can we do that makes sense to our modern folks?"
In the two congregations where I was an active lay person and the congregation where I was an associate pastor, the answer was ... the stripping and cleansing of the altar and chancel area by the clergy. While this is done, someone reads either Psalm 22 or Psalm 69 and, after that, an appropriate piece of Maundy Thursday music is sung by the choir. Members of the altar guild (sacristans) assist the clergy by carrying the appointments to a storage area as they are removed, and by bringing the cleaning materials from the sacristy.
When I came to my current post, I found that that was also the tradition here ("whew!" I thought, "no feet.") ... Through the years I've discussed this with my parishioners and my liturgics committee, always raising the question, "What about foot washing?" The corporate consensus has always been that the public servant ministry of cleaning the church/altar/chancel makes much more sense as a demonstration of servant ministry than does the washing of feet, which feels less like a demonstration of servant ministry than like some sort of "Maundy Thursday Pageant" re-enactment of a biblical event, disconnected from our reality.
So, rather than offer a way to encourage your folks to bare their feet, I offer this suggestion -- consider doing something else that conveys the servant ministry message.
Have a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter!
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 12:36:37
What is relevant for this day and age? What compares to footwashing? I went back to the day my Mom died. She was in the hospital; she had lost all control of her body functions. I remember the nurses coming in to take care of her. The love and care and respect they administered while cleaning up my mom continues to touch me in the same way that I envision Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. I don't know how you can reenact that care. Reverend KJ
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 13:27:50
I tend to agree with Heather. foot wshing may not be culturally relevant, but for those who submit to the 'humiliation' of baring one of their least favoured body parts, it can be a very meaningful experience. Somehow stripping the altar by the clergy doesn't have the same impact for me anyway. the reluctance to bare one's feet in public to be lovingly washed, requires humilty. dare I say that it is similar to the humilty required of those who 'risk' being seen as needy when coming to the front of church for prayer! I find it easier to wash others feet than to have mine washed, isn't that the point? forgoing practises because we consider them culturally irrelevant or because they cause discomfort seems like a slippery slope to me. However, as pastors we are to demonstrate love, might that mean forgoing footwashing for a season? (perhaps instead plan a sermon series on the importance of feet in the Bible; "how glorious are the feet..." ) I pray that God will guide you Heather as you seek to serve Him and your foot sensitive flock Blessings, Toronto Rev.
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 14:19:55
Instead of doing the foot washing, I am cutting the gospel reading in two, between 13:11 and 13:12.
In the middle of that, I am having the congregation confess their sins and having people come to the altar for individual absolution. But instead of laying on of hands, I am going to make the mark of the cross on their forehead with holy water. Thereby linking baptism and forgiveness with the washing of the feet. After all, in being servants of one another, forgiveness is a big part of making that work.
Tigger in MN
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 14:20:10
Instead of doing the foot washing, I am cutting the gospel reading in two, between 13:11 and 13:12.
In the middle of that, I am having the congregation confess their sins and having people come to the altar for individual absolution. But instead of laying on of hands, I am going to make the mark of the cross on their forehead with holy water. Thereby linking baptism and forgiveness with the washing of the feet. After all, in being servants of one another, forgiveness is a big part of making that work.
Tigger in MN
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 18:36:58
Toronto Rev said, "forgoing practises because we consider them culturally irrelevant or because they cause discomfort seems like a slippery slope to me."
I agree with you, my friend, about discomforts and even, to a certain extext, about "cultural irrelevance" ... however, on that latter point, I believe we need to be adaptable and not tie ourselves, the church and (most importantly) the message of the Gospel to the practices of a long-gone generation -- isn't that the very point about the difference by Law and Gospel? If we engage in a now essentially meaningless act simply because "God in the Person of Jesus said to do it", how is that different from the Pharisees engaging in essentially meaningless acts simply because "God through Moses said to do it"???? Isn't the important thing to witness to servanthood? For me, the significant witness of this Gospel story is the call to servant ministry -- not the call to wash feet!
When described in writing, the stripping and washing of the altar does sound pretty "blah", admittedly. When actually done in the context of the worshiping community, it is (or can be) quite beautiful and meaningful.
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 18:46:09
Reverend KJ said, "I don't know how you can reenact that care."
Absolutely! My mom died two years ago, Dec. 23, 1999, from Hepatitis-D contracted (apparently) some 15 years before. She died at home; my dad opted to pay for 24 hour attendant care rather than confine her to a nursing home. He hired some nurses' aides to be with her and she was visited regularly by hospice nurses. My wife and daughter were able to be there when she died (I had had to return home to handle the pre-Christmas and Christmas stuff -- awfully hard to do.)
One of the "foot washing" things about her last illness that I intend to use as an illustration is the fact that her feet would get very cold and she loved to have them rubbed. Because of the dryness of her skin (typical in the last stages of renal & liver failure associated with hepatitis), whoever rubbed her feet had to use some body oil. My daughter, who was 14 at the time, would sit with her Grammy Betty and rub her feet and talk to her (even when she was unable to consciously appreciate or understand). I don't think that can be "re-enacted" -- it can be described and people can relate to it and enter into the experience without the artifice of public foot washing. In fact, for me, a public footwashing would detract from the sharing of the story.
I guess I'm just not into washing feet.... it doesn't "speak" to me and, in fact, as I think about it further, I find that it distracts me from what I believe the core message of this Gospel to be.
I'll be quiet now ;-)
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 26 March 2002
Time: 19:00:09
Oh ... one last thing, not about feet, then I'll shut up...
I have been matched as a bone marrow donor with a 38-y.o. family man with acute myelogenous leukemia. Tuesday after Easter I will undergo the necessary pre-donation physical and, if approved (which I don't think will be a problem, although I am overweight), I will go into the hospital the next week for the surgical removal of about a quart of marrow from my pelvis.
I don't know anything more about the potential recipient; we're just calling him "John Donee".
I'm thinking of this as a living-out of the sacrificial servant ministry to which we are all called. I'd appreciate your prayers that the marrow extraction goes well and that the marrow transplant is successful in treating the recipient.
Thanks, Eric in KS
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 07:35:27
On Foot-Washing
I think Saint Peter would have loved to live in our time - with so much discussion about whether or not to wash feet on this night - he would loved to have been among those who have an alternative plan!
tom in ga
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 08:08:16
Eric bless you for sharing yourself with someone you don't even know! Feet washing can only be a ritual or it can be a loving gesture of giving of ourself in service to the one being served. After the midnight washing of "the man at the door" it has much more meaning to me. I'm at a place where the feet washing was never done before and some are afraid of it. It seems that doing what Jesus did is not popular (feet washing included) but that is the challenge that we have...to serve one another, to love one another...even (especially) when it is difficult. I hope you would wash one another's feet in love and service and imitate Jesus example. "What I just did was to give you an example, as I have done, so you should do." Don't let the negative over ride the imitation of Jesus. Last Monday evening at REP we reenacted the Last Supper with a group of 4th graders. There were the Apostles and I talk with them about Eucharist and Passover and feetwashing as I went around and washed all their feet. One of the mothers called to say, "my son told me what you did at the REP session and he will never forget it!" Giving people that experience is what will bring them to Christ on a deeper level! priest in Iowa
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 09:25:37
My brother tom in ga wrote: "I think Saint Peter would have loved to live in our time - with so much discussion about whether or not to wash feet on this night - he would loved to have been among those who have an alternative plan!"
Tom, it's good to have you back -- where have you been? Yes, I think Peter would fit right in with us. He is my favorite apostle/saint because he got it WRONG so often - and I get it WRONG so often that I really identify with him! Yep, he'd fit right in (but in this instance I don't think there's a wrong or right ... just multiple alternatives).
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 10:12:07
Hi folks,
Just wanted to thanks you for your discussion about the foot-washing. My church's Maundy Thursday service moves from the footwaching to Holy Communion ("on this night, when he was betrayed..."), and ends with the stripping of the altar as Psalm 22 is read. So that wouldn't be a substitution, as it's already there.
I'm going ahead with washing the feet. And I'm going to preach a bit about our discomfort, and what that's about...
Thanks, Heather in Sharon
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 14:10:07
Heather: Go for it! I too see discomfort in our congregastion about the footwashing. Even more, I am uncomfortable MYSELF. But I'm hanging in there with those who say, "Let's try the uncormfortable." And your intention to talk about the discomfort as part of the sermon is my intention also. I am encouraged by the examples given here of end-of-life body care. I was thinking about how we are all cared for as infants, washed and baby-oiled (and have our bottoms wiped), and then at the end of life (and maybe in between) are again at the "mercy" of others for the care of our bodies. How proud we become of our independence, the "I'll do it MYSELF" attitude. How hard will it be to trust others later, when we need them desparately? When we finally do, we may say to ourselves, "Why did I waste so much of my life protecting my feet from other people's sight? They can handle it just fine!"
Let's look at this as comparable to having a nurses'aide take care of your bedpan. Then your feet will look easy! We learn to BE vulnerable. We learn to care for one another's vulnerabilities.
A good song during the footwashing is "The Servant Song"--
Sara in GR, MI
Date: 27 March 2002
Time: 16:05:26
Sara up there in GR suggestd, "A good song during the footwashing is 'The Servant Song'"
So too is "Jesu, Jesu...."
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 28 March 2002
Time: 04:42:28
Eric in KS: Thanks for sharing the story of your Mom . Since my Mom died only two months ago today, It's still too painful to share a whole lot. But as I've been preparing for my sermon this eve I kept going back to the care of our elderly parents, the care that spouses give their dying spouses, and it touches on the love Jesus demonstrated to his disciples. It is what we are called to offer as pastors. At my ordination I was reminded to not be afraid to lament for my congregation and to always love them as Christ loves them.
You will be in my prayers as you undergo this bonemarrow thing. The recipient is also in my prayers.
Blessings, Reverend KJ
Date: 28 March 2002
Time: 06:58:27
Heather et al: A few specifics that might help with some of the discomfort during footwashing from our experience at Holy Cross Church.
1] we made it less "on stage". We moved the single chair in the middle of the crossing, to the side, in front of a section of pews, and added another on the other side. Then we turned the chairs so that they faced front. This meant the the person having their feet washed was facing the altar, and their face was not being watched by the whole congregation.
2] We stopped having the priest wash everyone. This is supposed to be a task for all of us. He washed first, and then that person washed the feet of the next person. I don't remember that we had a deacon then, but someone from the altar party started the other station.
3] Then we began a catechumenal program (adult preparation for baptism/confirmation or baptismal renewal). The catechumenal process has several liturgical "moments" in different Sunday worship times. In Lent the whole congregation is reminded that these people are going through an intensive preparation for baptism and thus are examples to us all of how seriously we should be about our Christian life. Their sponsors (or godparents), mature Christians from the congregation,are now the ones who start by each washing the feet of their candidate. Then the candidates wash their sponsors feet. The candidates then wash the feet of anyone else who comes forward. They are demonstrating for all of us how we all are to "kneel at the feet of our friends". Since we want each candidate to have this experience, we have gotten up to four or five stations, which is a lot in a congregation of about 80. However, a lot of stations also makes for a shorter wait in line (You know, some people in the congregation may think to themselves, "I might go up there, but it's already been going on for so long, everyone's getting tired of this!").
Meanwhile on the sermon preparation question, I'm now planning to start with the "birthday" of the Eucharist, which is something we HAVE become quite comfortable with. Glorious and wonderful as it is, because we have Eucharist every Sunday, it can become habitual and unthinking. Our Christian life can run that way too. However, there is no "institution" of the Eucharist in the Gospel of John! John, I think, could see the ease with which we turn to enjoying Church and forgetting our call to mission. He puts the Footwashing where we expect the family patronal feast. He is saying: "Don't forget what you are really supposed to be about. Down on your knees like me. See how I love you through the hands of others? You do the same!"
Sara in GR, MI
Date: 28 March 2002
Time: 07:32:32
Sara in GR, MI
Thank you for sharing your experience. We do very similar things. It makes it so much better when there is a lot of participation on the part of candidates for confirmation and members of the congregation. We don't turn the chairs toward the altar, but we do place several in the crossing and I really don't think those having their feet-washed are being "looked" at.
I hope your evening goes well,
tom in ga
Date: 28 March 2002
Time: 12:47:38
I use the foot washing service. We set it up for people to come freely and to wash each others feet. You should see the tears, the expression, and at times the disbelief. But none of this would be pratical or sustainable with out a through explaination of the theological intent of Christ and why this symbol still speaks loudly.
chaps
Date: 28 March 2002
Time: 15:07:32
My sermon is entitled "Washing Feet in an Alzheimer's Age" -- you can find it at
http://www.stfrancis-ks.org/subpages/asermons/mthurs-rcl-a-2002.htm
Blessings, Eric in KS
Year 2001 Contributions:
Date: 03 Apr 2001
Time: 21:21:33
Looks like I get to be first in this discussion... I hope someone else happens along to continue it.
Although I will be using this Gospel lesson (rather than the alternative in the Episcopal Lectionary), the focus of my preaching will be the multi-directionality, multi-vocality, and multivalency of the Holy Communion.
Our choir is having an internal dispute over appropriate Communion music (is there ever a time in the church when there isn't a dispute of some type????) Older members are insisting on "quiet, reflective, solemn, reverent" music ("Humbly I adore thee" and "Sing my tongue the glorious battle" and the like, I suppose) ... while younger members want "vibrant, joyful, celebratory, boisterous" music ("I am the Bread of life" or "At the Lamb's high feast we sing" or the like). Neither view is right and neither is wrong, and the Music staff and I strive for balance. Sometimes, the solemnity of remembering Christ's sacrifice will prevail, sometimes the joy of the Resurrection will prevail, and most of the time we'll have a mixture of hymns and anthems.
As I pondered this disagreement, it came to me that the difference is really one of theology -- which of the many meanings of the Eucharist resonates best for the worshiper will determine the sort of music (and other pietistic or devotional practices) one prefers. As pastor and preacher, my job is to make it clear that there are a variety of pieties, a variety of devotions, a variety of theologies, all valid, attached to the simple acts of Taking-Blessing-Breaking-Sharing which Jesus did at the Last Supper and that we do each time wo "do this in remembrance of Me"...
So... multi-directionality, multi-vocality, multivalency will be the focus of my preaching. "The Many Faces of Communion" is the working title.
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 05 Apr 2001
Time: 19:58:54
The ability to "receive" is prior to our ability to "give." We we are unable to open ourselves to the gift then our giving becomes nothing less than altruistic control and self-centeredness. This is something Peter had to learn and we all need to take note about!
Later Paul quotes Jesus saying "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This is true and false. We cannot give until we know what it is like to be ministered to; the maundy we fulfill on this night - if done with integrity and faith, sets the tone for the servant ministry of the Body of Christ for the months and years to come.
tom in ga
Date: 06 Apr 2001
Time: 20:27:04
THIS SUNDAY IS A PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO DO THE SAME...DEE
Date: 07 Apr 2001
Time: 13:07:07
After about ten years of using the John passage, and having various forms of the foot washing as part of the liturgy, and sharing the liturgy with our neighboring Lutheran congregation, THIS year we are not doing the footwashing, we are not being joined by the Lutherans---so the last supper narrative from Luke seems the better choice for the Gospel. This will mean a focus on the institution of the Eucharist, a joyful celebration, followed by the stripping of the altar and an opportunity for individuals to stay in vigil "with Jesus in the garden" for an hour or so after the service.
Since we also are not having a Pascal dinner this year, I think I will need to reiterate the connections with the Passover and Seder for those who don't have this firmly in mind. This also sets the stage for some of the language in the Exsultet that begins the Easter Vigil.
"Why is this night different from all other nights?" (When I was a child and a Presbyterian I was very conscious that this was the only NIGHT other than Christmas Eve that we went to church!) We usually use matzah for the bread on Maundy Thursday, so this too is a reminder of our connection to the Passover.
Hmm--I guess I'm leaning toward mostly reviewing the connections with the Seder and Haggadah.
Sara, in GR,MI
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 12:53:20
I've got quite a different type of problem. In this primarily non-liturgical area, there is a church that is advertising and announcing a "special communion service on April 13," which, as you know, is Good Friday. My initial reaction is alarm, especially since the pastor of this church and I don't see eye-to-eye on most things. I don't want to go around speaking against another church (although he doesn't have too much problem speaking against ours and any other non-extreme-fundamentalist), but I happen to know of many people who think of communion as celebrating cannibalism!!!! Then, we've got this church celebrating communion on the one day when it's least appropriate to offer it (liturgically-speaking, anyhow) - the day of the crucifixion. No wonder people think it's cannibalism!
I feel I HAVE to respond somehow, but since the very idea is rather offensive to me, I'm having a hard time responding with grace - and I'm also not sure what is the appropriate venue.
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 13:05:28
I feel like I've talked till I'm blue in the face about "receiving" vs. "taking" communion (my bias being towards "receiving" - there's something humbling about holding out your hands a la Allstate). Perhaps Peter's objections to "receiving" a foot-washin' might provide a different example of what it is to receive - not just for our own enjoyment, but to know first-hand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of grace and to then automatically desire to share it.
I'm trying to think of some examples of when I've been so grateful for having received something that I want to share it around. Random acts of Kindness works on this principle, as does the movie "Pay it Forward." Since this church doesn't see movies, or watch TV or listen to music, can you help me think of examples that many people would know about? How about in history - especially WWII era through the 60's or 70's.
revo in ga
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 13:14:29
Can anyone think of some good examples of when receiving something elicited an automatic response of wanting to give that same thing?
Humbling ourselves enough to "receive" is more difficult than we might think after we've been taught that it's better to give than to receive. I've been talking myself blue in the face about "receiving" vs. "taking" communion. (my bias being on "receiving") I'm thinking that the example of Peter's reluctance to receive the foot-washin' might be a good parallel for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
These folks don't watch movies nor listen to music. They don't really appear to do much of anything.
revo in ga
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 13:16:07
oops - sorry about the double-post!!!
I didn't think the first one had gone through.
revo
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 14:04:15
To the unsigned post-er of 4/9. I hesitate to give advice (fools don't heed it and the wise don't need it), but it is one of the last free things.... so, I'd say forget about the other pastor - don't get into competition. Find your own spiritual center and contemplate the niche or role or style of the congregation you serve - they have a place in the wider community - what is it? Maybe its not too late to invite at least a handful of folks to a Maundy Thursday service of communion and tenebrae (readings and extinguishing lights). On Good Friday you could just have the church open for quiet prayer - don't count numbers as an indicator of "sucess". Be teaching and think long term. Explain why Maundy Thursday is meaningful - the day of the last supper and the betrayal and desertion and darkness. You could hold a simple but moving Maundy Thursday Service with an opening litany, a scripture reading (John 13, or Jn 15?) and a very brief meditation which leads right into the invitation to the Lord's Supper) an informal sharing of the Lord's supper would be suitable for a small group. There are anywhere up to 12 Maundy Thursday readings which move from the prophets thru the events of Holy Week (you probably know all this). Some people tell me it is the most powerful worship each year for them - reason enough to do it for even handful, adn the more readers you involve, adn a teen to carry the Christ candle, the better. If you haven't done this before, remember you are starting something new, and in about 5 or 10 years it just may catch on! And, plan for next year - discuss with deacons/worship committee, preach ahead of time, use your bulletin and newsletter. I don't mean to sound pushy or preachy, but I thought you were asking without literally asking. Jim in ct.
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 02:41:45
Someone wrote: "Then, we've got this church celebrating communion on the one day when it's least appropriate to offer it (liturgically-speaking, anyhow) - the day of the crucifixion. No wonder people think it's cannibalism!"
Well, liturgically speaking, we at my Episcopal (relatively Anglo-Catholic) parish will be doing communion. It will be the Liturgy of the Presanctified, not the Mass, of course. I doubt that this is what the church you are describing has planned, but I don't think it is correct to say that communion on Good Friday is "inappropriate" -- celebration of the Mass may be, but communion from the Reserved Sacrament has a long and venerable history in the liturgical church.
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 03:12:49
I think I will lift up verse 17 -- you are blessed if you do them. Of course, we remember the sacrament of this meal with Jesus. Yet we also need to remember the example of service: we the servants are not greater than the master Jesus, who served in this gentle, humble, and hospitable fashion. It is in those moments of service in the name of Jesus that we experience life in the kingdom/reign of God, just as we do in the sacrament. When we respond to the grace of Jesus, we discover again that we are "blessed if we do them."
OLAS
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 18:35:22
If I'm reading John correctly, it would appear tha Judas was still at the table when Jesus washed feet. Therefore, Jesus washed the feet of the one who would betray him in just a few hours. I'm not sure where I'm going with this. But it is striking.
Heather in Sharon
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 19:02:27
Just some random thoughts. When we give how do we do it? Do we have certain expectations of how the gift should be received?
When we receive how do we receive? Are we gratful and gracious to the giver?
What does it feel like to be servant? What does it feel like to be served, I mean served by someone who we would not expect to be in the servant role?
Are these not some of the questions that we can explore with out congregations just before they go to the garden to pray? Even if we only to go that garden figuritively, should we not be headed to that garden in what we share?
I too have not fully decided what direction my sermon will take but I can get to that until I have explored these questions and their answers for me and for the people I serve.
A in NJ
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 21:15:19
to the unsigned person who is concerned about the Good Friday Dinner...Why not join them as an act of love? As the start of the end of always debating with your colleague down the road? For all you know, they may need to have a dinner on Good Friday for some unspoken reasons that enhance their community. Try to let go of your "correct theology" and embrace the command to love them. They confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are your brothers and sisters, sit, eat, partake!!!
Micki
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 02:24:22
O.k. I have reviewed all the Gospels, I am drawn to Mark's version for some reason, I have emphasizing celebration of passover, talk about sedar meal, relate it to the family meal...sharing with friends a special moment...
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 04:26:21
I am also using John. The last time I used this passage on Maundy Thursday I brought a pitcher of water, a basin and a towel and preached from the font. This time I am drawn to Jesus also washing Judas' feet also and want to talk about serving all others, not just the ones who deserve it. There are certainly some people it is easier to serve than others. That Jesus would care for Judas in the same way he did others is a word of grace for all of us who need forgiveness. Then we must learn what it means to serve others as we have been served. I'm going with the theme "In His Service".
Angie in Chicago
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 12:51:55
In reading Bultmann's excellent commentary I came to an important point he makes. The footwashing, which cannot be understood till much later, is not just an example of how the disciples (hence we) should act. Its not just role modeling. They (and we) cannot begin to serve as Jesus does until they (we) first allow Jesus (hence God) to serve us. That God would act as a slave or servant is an affront to us - as it was to Peter. Yet in receiving such serving grace we become free from the conventions and values of "the world" to truly live and serve in Christ's name - as the church. Jesus here is starting a new community with profoundly different values and standards of love and service from the usual. Anyway, it was a real "aha" for me. Peace. Jim in ct.
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 16:08:37
Hi all.
Heather in Sharon mentioned that Judas seems to be present when the footwashing occurs. A great example of what many of us also experience: our serving is not always appreciated; those we serve sometimes turn on us; willing servants are sometimes (frequently!) taken advantage of.
This, along with Peter's demand for MORE service, highlights for me (and hopefully us!) that true, disinterested service is a rare commodity among us these days. It usually comes to us, or is usually given BY us, as yet another attempt at control ("I'll visit that so-and-so inactive member, but he better show up at church on Sunday!"), or self-justification ("At least I'm doing something about the problem, unlike HER!"), or as a pitiful attempt at gaining at least a modicum of appreciation ("You would think they would at least say 'Thank you' after all I did for them!").
Pardon my Lutheranism :-), but this strikes me as a wonderful starting point for a proclamation of grace saving us, not our goodness. Ultimately, it is Jesus who saves us, not our attempts at service, no matter how good they appear!
Thanks for the thought, Heather!
Rick in Canada, eh?
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 19:00:24
I remember while I was still in school, myself as the president of the student society and the principal of the college were asked to do the feet washing on the Maundy Thursday service. I was greatly relieved that I was given this task because it meant that I wouldn't have to have my feet washed. There is no question that it took much greater courage to come forward remove your shoes and socks and have someone wash your feet than it did to wash other people's feet.
It is very difficult to recieve. Think of people who are in hospital or nursing home and forced only to recieve care and are no longer able to give care. So much of our feelings of self worth are caught up in 'doing' and 'caring' for others. It feels good to give and we pat ourselves on the back for being so darned generous. We value independance in our society, but how much do we value those who need to be cared for and how much do we value being cared for?
On the other hand when we care for others in unexpected ways, people can be quite overwhelmed by the gift of giving. Just before Christmas a young family in our town lost their trailer home and all the contents to a fire (there was no insurance). The community responded by setting up a fund for them. But as a church we also wanted to do something so on the spure of the moment we decided to have a 2nd offering Christmas Eve for this family. The money was given to them that night. Yes we felt good giving the gift, but they were also deeply moved by our generosity and prayers and care. You never know what impact a genuine gift can have on the receiver.
just some rambling thoughts..
KBinAB
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 19:08:09
As I was reading these wonderful posts today, it struck me that Jesus washes the disciples' feet while the meal is still going on. If it had been before the meal, it would have been an act of hospitality. So why during the meal? Could it be that Jesus has to make his point before the table is cleared and there are the normal distractions that would make it more difficult for Jesus to address them all? If Jesus knows that Judas is going to try to slip out unnoticed, addressing the group after the meal might cause them to notice Judas' absence. Is this a last attempt by Jesus to touch Judas "where the foot meets the road," where theology and practice intersect?
OLAS
Date: 11 Apr 2001
Time: 22:37:50
Eric in Ks..i read your choir story...Got a great Luther quote: Whenever Satan comes to church, he always sits up with the choir. Another buddy of mine once observed: anyone who doesn't believe in original sin has never had children, not sung in a church choir. Blessings to you in Holy Week. RevWKR in Ohio
Date: 12 Apr 2001
Time: 12:04:43
Yesterday I had a conversation about how giving was a major part of who I am. I guess that comes out in my relationships with others as well as with my work as a hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor, along with serving a small, open country church. Working with so many who are struggling with their loss of independence, the loss of their abilitiy to do basic things like bathing or using the bathroom can be very dehumanizing. I wonder how I would feel if I were in that position. As a pastor or chaplain, I often have problems letting others do things for me. I get frustrated when I give something to a secretary because I want it done in a particular way, only to find my suggestions or even examples ignored. I'm a much better giver than receiver. I hate it when my own words are returned for me to live by! Sounds like I need to learn about being a gracious receiver. -- Sister Klare
Date: 12 Apr 2001
Time: 18:17:47
I used this letter from the Readers' Forum of "The Sandusky Register" several years ago as my message on love in the Maundy Thursday Evening Service at the church I serve. It still gives me a lump in my throat. "My six-year old son was devastated to learn his bicycle was stolen from our garage in Stonewood Wednesday night. Whoever is responsible should realize the emotional stress that it put my son through. He was only able to ride the bike on five occasions, weather permitting, as it was just a few weeks old. He always parked his bike in the garage, because I informed him it would be safe there. It became almost a ritual for him to pull the bike in, use a soft cloth to wipe off every piece of exposed metal, and then to clean off the tires. The bike is all chrome, and Neal Jr. understood the shiny metal would become dull and pitted from any moisture and dirt. When my six-year-old learned of the bicycle being stolen he became very upset. He felt cheated and violated for the first time in his life. For the most part, his concerns were far different from what I would have expected. He was most upset that the thief did not take the soft cloth hung neatly next to where he parked his bike, and it would rust. I tried to explain to my six-year-old that some kids do not always behave in a manner which their parents would like, and it was probably a troubled child who stole the bicycle. He asked me if the child's parents would know that the bicycle did not belong to them. I did not have a valid answer to that question. My son was up most of the night, confused and shaken. His comment Thursday morning surprised me most of all. He asked how this kid was going to learn to look both ways while riding, and what the kid was going to do about a helmet. Would whoever who stole my son's bicycle please return for the helmet and the soft cloth designed for use with chrome. My six-year-old is concerned for your safety and the care you give the bike. They are hung in the garage next to where you found the bike. Most of all, please stop and look both ways, and be careful." Neal Bass Sr. Perkins Township Blessings. CT
Date: 05 Mar 2002
Time: 08:50:14
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
Oh that we would love as Jesus loves us, un conditionally. It seems to me that at times we can only bring ourselves to love those who agree with us. Didn't the Disciples argue about who would have the places of honor next to Jesus? When it came time for someone to be on Jesus right and on his left, it was three of them on crosses. And even then the other two couldn't agree! Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom. and help me keep from hindering you from bringing the day when God's will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. And if it be thy will, use me to help bring it about. But help me be found faithful in the mean time, and until the end. wd in nc