I have to laugh because I have been encountering feet a lot lately. As I sit here typing, I am watching “Bones” and they are trying to solve a case using feet! Then earlier today, I listened to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s sermon from this past weekend at Wartburg Theological Seminary. He says, “It is all about voices and feet.” He also quoted the Biblical text where it talks about “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News.” I love this text because it reminds me of what I am called to do and be as a Diaconal Minister in the ELCA. The Diaconal text is the text where Jesus washes his disciple’s feet. God calls me to wash the feet of all God’s people. However I love how Mark Hanson framed his sermon because I truly believe we all are called to share the gospel with the world. We all are called to bring Good News to each other. I cant help but be reminded of my own father, grandfather and uncle who farm and sometimes their feet are covered in mud, dirt, etc yet their feet are just as beautiful as anyone elses. During his sermon, Bishop Mark had the worshippers look at the feet of those around them and to compliment them on their feet. What if we were more intentional about helping each other see how we ALL are called to use our feet (and voices) to share God’s love with the world.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!”
Beautiful blog post! As you probably know, in the ANE of Jesus' time, people's feet got extremely dirty, one of the reasons washing feet was the task of the lowliest servant. I'm remembering Maundy Thursday 2007 at the time the pastor invited everyone to have their feet washed and to wash one another's feet, I said to the person sitting beside me I wouldn't do it, because I need minor foot surgery and would be too embarrassed (though I still wear sandals and flip-flops whenever possible, so unless you're up close, it's not that terrible). And Lorella then asked me, "Would you let Jesus wash your feet?" …hmmm… interesting. Later on during the liturgy Pastor Scott prayer the Eucharistic prayer I'd written for Maundy Thursday and what a high to listen to my words prayed by someone else! I still hauntingly wonder would I let Jesus wash my feet? "If I do not wash you, you have not part in me…" but I am baptized!!!