A at Home for Thursday Foot Washing

Introduction to

On Maundy Thursday, we remember ’ fnal meal with his disciples and his time of prayer and agony in Gethsemane. A few days earlier Jesus had been welcomed with great joy and celebration into , but on this night, after an intimate meal with his disciples, he would be betrayed by one of his disciples. Crucifxion was on the horizon.

So while this evening was a sweet time of fellowship between Jesus and his closest disciples, it was also a time of sadness and confusion. Sadness, for Jesus was troubled in spirit that one of his own would betray him and by the cruel death that awaited Him. Confusion, because the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he talked of betrayal or going to a place Painting Above: “Jesus Washing Peter’s where they could not follow. Feet” by Ford Maddox Brown Yet, through it all, Jesus loved his disciples well during this last evening, and he called them to emulate his love. This call is, in fact, where we get the name Maundy Thursday. Maundy is a shortened version of mandatum,

Before You Begin How to Prepare: Before you begin the liturgy, fnd a comfortable space for yourself and your family to worship together. If you have a cross, , candles, or other sacred items, consider placing them in your view as you go throughout the liturgy. Also, gather all the items you need to engage the embodied actions of this liturgy.

What You will Need: Basin/Bowl, Pitcher Filled with Water, and Towel; Candle(s), Personal Sacred Items For Your Space Liturgy

This is the night that Christ the Son of Man gathered with his disciples in the upper room.

This is the night that Christ our Lord and Master took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, calling us to love one another as he has loved us.

This is the night that Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his perfect sacrifce.

This is the night that Christ our Salvation gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him.

“ A I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ” — :34

Light a Candle

Begin your time together by lighting a candle to represent Jesus, the , and to remember his presence with you during this liturgy.

Entering God’s Presence

Take a moment to quiet your hearts and enter into God’s presence. After a few moments of silence, pray the following prayer.

God of love, as we prepare to remember the events of this powerful night, open our eyes to see the beauty of Jesus’ self-giving love, and by your Spirit work in our heart’s a desire and commitment to serve each other and our hurting world.In Jesus’ name, Amen.

— Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004 Embodied Action: Washing One Another’s Feet

Foot Washing in Jesus’ Time

While foot washing may seem like a strange practice in 2020 America, it made perfect sense in ancient Israel when folks walked for miles on dusty roads in sandals. When people arrived at their destination, it was typical to have one’s feet washed. Sometimes, one of the lowest servants would do this for a guest and sometimes a would do this for his rabbi out of reverence, but in general foot washing was considered a very lowly task - such a lowly task that a Hebrew slave could not be required to do it. Thus, in many cases in ancient Israel, a host would simply provide the water for guests and let them wash their own feet. So when Jesus, a rabbi, beloved leader, and Messiah, washed his disciples’ feet that night, it was a completely shocking thing for him to do.

Now take time to wash one another’s feet as a symbolic act that reminds you of God’s great love for the world and God’s call upon you to love others.

Take your bowl/basin, pitcher flled with water, and towel. Simply pour water over a person’s feet with the basin underneath. Then dry the person’s feet with the towel, and repeat with the next person, letting everyone have a chance to wash another person’s feet and to have his/her feet washed.

If you are alone on this Maundy Thursday, you can wash your feet as a reminder of what Christ has done for you. Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring you to all of our neighbors so they might come to know you and your abundant love; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Then the Light Was Extinguished

It is very typical at the end of the traditional Maundy Thursday service, that the Communion Table is stripped of everything on it and the main cross is removed from the worship space. And then the sanctuary goes dark, and we leave in silence.

It is call for us to remember that the Light of the World entered into the agonies of prayer in Gethsemane and sufferings of the Cross, and was ultimately extinguished on Good Friday. As you close this liturgy time, you can do something similar in your homes. It may feel a little out of place with everything else you have done in the service, but embrace that disorientation. Cover up your sacred space or items and keep them covered until .

Depart in Peace

Adapted from Rev. Kristen Yates of The Mission Cincinnati, http:// www.missioncincinnati.org/maundythursday, April 2020