Rev. Michelle's Message April 17, 2025

We are now in Holy Week, the week that culminates with our joyous Easter celebration. And today is “Maundy Thursday” in the Christian tradition. “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning commandment. At the Last Supper, on the night before he is crucified, Jesus gives a final commandment to his disciples. He says, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus’ commandment to the disciples is two-fold: there is the part that he says…and then there is the part that he does. He says that they are to love one another as he has loved them. Then he shows them exactly what that love looks like: it looks like humility and servitude. And in order to make it perfectly clear, and to leave a lasting impression on his disciples that they will not soon forget, Jesus demonstrates that humility and servitude by washing their feet.

Foot washing was common in ancient times. In Jesus’ time, people wore sandals and it was a dusty place, so when they would enter someone’s house, it was customary for them to be provided with water to wash their feet. Sometimes their feet would be washed by servants, or even by the host himself as an act of hospitality and welcome.

But in this case, it is Jesus who does the washing. As Jesus was their teacher, or rabbi, and they his disciples, it would be expected that they would wash his feet, but as always, Jesus takes what you think he is going to do and he does the exact opposite--he washes the feet of his disciples.

This act is a profound example of humility that is also to serve as instructions to the disciples, and by extension, to us, as his followers. In this act, Jesus is saying, When I am gone, this is how you are to treat one another—with humility and with respect. I know you are human and your egos are going to get involved, but you are to take your egos out of it as much as possible. When you feel your ego getting the better of you, do this ritual–wash one another’s feet. It will remind you of your call to serve one another. It will reground you in humility and love.

Whether you choose to join us this evening at 6 p.m. at the church to participate in our Maundy Thursday Foot Washing Ceremony, or whether you simply choose to reflect on this story of Jesus, may his great example touch you deeply and serve to remind us all that we are here to serve one another and all of Creation—in humility, in grace ,and in great love.

Easter Blessings,

Rev. Michelle

#maundythursday #unity #unityofmontereybay