Foot-Washing

Towel and basin in hand, I await visitors to this site … that I might “wash their feet”, and remove some of the caked-on, unwholesome, and unpleasant deposits, that each of us tend to acquire in our daily walk. And then … when all that would impede our return to the state of comfort and enjoyment that we knew, when we last met, has been cleansed away … I relish the thought that you (each and every one of you who grant us a moment together) and I can celebrate (if even for the most brief of moments) our spiritual kinship.

This is the picture that the scriptures paint. The image of One who is “cleansed” of all that lies without the confines of a particular place of sanctuary … having to go back out into the madness, mayhem, anger, fear, and confusions of the world outside. Then, upon returning to that place set aside for an intimate harmony with souls sharing common bonds of affection, understanding, and agreement … that One is invited to allow one of their Kindred to give them the gracious and generous gift of symbolically “washing away” all that would hinder their oneness of spirit together.

And … please take particular note here … it is the one, who has remained in the unsoiled atmosphere of the shared place of refuge, who insists on washing the feet of the other who has spoiled themselves in their other-worldly enterprises. The one who has enjoyed the safety and comfort of shelter does not demand of the traveler “Why can’t you leave that work stuff at work!?” or “Why must you bring all of those problems home with you!?” Nor are there recriminations for the very fact that the traveler has, indeed, actually picked up layers of accumulated detritus whilst going about their outside business. There are no condemnations of “You were free of those entanglements, those inappropriate behaviors, those commissions of wrong-doing, when you left. How can you be so unreliable and weak as to bring all of that into our place!?” Oh, no, My Dear Reader, there is a spirit of healing, serving, and forgiving acceptance in washing away someone else’s “dirt.”

And this is the province of the one welcoming the traveler home. With a quiet embrace … a foot massage that relieves the tensions and pains acquired whilst going about all of those endless chores, deliveries, appointments, and meetings. A favorite beverage … offered in silent love with the gentlest of smiles. Inviting the children to busy themselves elsewhere whilst she, or he, takes a moment of respite. All possibilities in “foot-washing.” That they might rekindle, renew, and, again enjoy, what is most precious and lasting … their oneness in spirit.

This lesson was demonstrated, in scripture, with the story of Jesus insisting on washing the feet of one of his disciples. The disciple was most indignant and demanded that the one who was considered to be Master should never wash the feet of the one who assumed the role of servant. And Jesus made the point that I have been seeking to convey, when he told his disciple that they could never know the joys of an unblemished and perfect oneness of spirit unless the Master be willing to wash the feet of the Servant ... and the Servant be willing to humbly accept the washing. Which reminds me of my version of an old adage “There are no big “I’s”, nor little “U’s” in the alphabet of a loving relationship."

So, Dear One, please allow me the honor … the profound compliment … of washing away from your spirit-feet, all of life’s clutter, anxieties, fears, and confusions (or at the very least rinse the excess away) … with each photo, word of reflection, poem, and insight that I humbly make available here … as you return for each of your kind and caring visits to this … my little blog-sanctuary. To that end, I happily remain, Your willing Servant and faithful Friend.