Today begins three days and three nights of constant liturgy. This liturgy begins with a remembering. On Holy Thursday night, in churches throughout the world, people will gather to celebrate the eucharist and re-enact a visual parable. In the Gospel of John, we have a wonderful illustration of the 'attitude of eucharist'. Jesus, the host of the meal, rises from the table and washes the feet of the disciples. They are stunned by this action and Peter cannot contain his horror that his Messiah could consider washing his feet. Jesus points out that his action must be the attitude of his disciples. I understand Peter's reluctance. I am in awe of the humility of God in this action. maybe this prayer can help us in our disturbance
Dear Lord, I know you want to wash my feet. I know my fear, my resistance. I'm not clean. I'm embarrassed to admit to myself all the ways I am dishonest, self-indulgent, negligent, defensive, and failing in my relationship with you, with others - failing to love.
Wash me.
Let me accept, embrace, how your self-giving sets me free from my sin and offers to heal me. By your being broken and given poured out and shared, make me whole.
Let my heart be freed of its anxiety and fear, its anger and lust. Fill me with joy and peace,
that I might give you praise.
Send me to wash, to forgive, to free, to nourish, to embrace and give life.
By your grace, may the poor know that your mandate has touched my heart and the hearts of the community whose celebration of your love sustains me.
No comments:
Post a Comment