Foot washing

The Ekklesia daily email bulletin from June 8 tells the story of a former apartheid chief washing the feet of those he says he wronged. That gesture, beautiful for some, biblical for some, outdated and weird for others, is a compelling sign of forgiveness and of justice, tangible and real. 

In my tradition - Mennonite and Amish - foot washing was a regular part of community and worship. The Amish practise it to this day and some Mennonite communities do so, even some very modern, or post-modern ones, who do it as an occasional special service. I have participated in some foot washing services and have every time experienced it as really meaningful, quietly joyful, and authentic service to each other, in the name of Christ.

I recall one such service when a highly placed church administrator - yes, even the non-hierarchical Mennonites have such positions - offered to wash the feet of a young boy who was  known to be in trouble every so often and even if you didn't know you could tell from his face that he felt troubled. This boy's face was shining as he washed the feet of the smart man who had been the famous preacher that morning.

Some people might feel weird or disgusted at the thought of having to look at, let alone touch some person's feet who is not their friend. Or letting someone wash and dry your feet, when you'd rather not enter in personal discussion with that person. In contrast to mid-Eastern times of Jesus, foot washing today has absolutely no hygienic significance; we're all glad that the people serving us food or shaking our hands have washed their hands. So foot-washing is entirely symbolic, just as communion is, estranged from its original function which was real and useful. Foot washing I would maintain is a symbol of forgiveness and acceptance. Mutual, non-pretending and real. The fact is, while it is not needed for cleaning our feet really, it actually does create a gentle but strong sense of acceptance. That boy was, at least for the moment of the ceremony, totally forgiven for whatever he might have missed or messed up, and he must have felt so, probably far beyond that morning.  And who knows what mark it left on his spiritual and moral memory.