Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In both today's first reading and the Gospel I was struck by the presence of feet. Paul speaks of John's pronouncement of Christ's coming, that John would not be worthy to untie the sandals of Christ's feet. And Jesus speaks his words after washing the disciples' feet. In both readings (as is often true in life) the feet seem inconsequential but bear great weight.
Paul tells the progression of our salvation history, from the time of Moses to John the Baptist, and the whole thing culminates in Christ's feet. And in many ways our salvation history also culminates in Christ's feet - these feet bear the nails to bring us our salvation. Feet - we often think of them as smelly, gross and stinky, but they are hugely important to our health. And for John, he knew that he was not worthy to even touch these smelly, dirty parts of Christ's body. What does this say for us? How can we be considered worthy to take Christ into our body, when John was not even worthy enough to serve him and untie his sandal? Lord, make us worthy.
Conversely, in the Gospel, Christ takes time to wash the feet of his disciples. He takes time to deliberately and carefully clean the feet of those closest to him. How, as disciples of Christ, are they worthy to have Christ touch and wash their feet? How are we worthy of this same love and tender care from our savior?
Because of the feet. Because of the infant feet that Mary tenderly stroked. Because of the feet that Christ used to walk away from his parents and into the temple, to preach. Because of the feet that rode on a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Because of the feet that bore the nails and hung on the cross. Because of the feet Thomas could put his hands into, to feel the wounds of Christ. Because Christ lived, took on our human form, with dirty, smelly feet and all, and then died for us, we are made worthy.
And now it is our job - Christ has made us worthy to know Him, to love Him, to spread his Gospel. Let us use this worth to change the world, to spread Christ's message, to be Christ to one another.
Our feet are essential in balance, in temperature regulation, in getting from one place to another. They are extensions of our legs. They are the foundation that keeps us grounded on the Earth. And this is what Christ needs to be for us too. Christ must be our foundation. Christ must be the one thing in our life that keeps us grounded and connected. While Christ must always be on our minds, hearts and lips, may he also be our feet.
- Amanda Grimm