Washing Feet

In some Christian circles there is a foot washing ritual this week in church. It seems that foot washing had a special meaning in Hebrew circles. Abraham washed the feet of his visitors. He did that because they were from heaven or especially connected to things eternal or of God. His visitors were angels or God's own self. A woman washed Jesus' feet because she believed that he was especially of God. He was seen by her to be "heavenly."

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. They were not heavenly at all. They were about to do all kinds of despicable things, such as lie, run away in a cowardly fashion, deny him. No angels in this crowd. So why did Jesus wash their feet? I suspect he did it because of the potential he saw in each one of them. In spite of their "imperfections," he believed in them, that they could become heavenly, more like himself. His washing their feet was in anticipation of what they could be some day. Jesus is the hopeful one. Well, don't each of us have this potential? Be hopeful. Go to church or wherever, and get your feet washed. Believe in yourself. Today's mess and tomorrow's right action could be all in the same person. Of course, a pedicure would be nice too!