Foot washing – Maundy Thursday?

One thing that I think is wheeled out once a year in the church’s calendar and then forgotten about is foot washing: on Maundy Thusday (the Thursday before Easter) the vicar/priest can be seen demonstrating humility by washing the feet of parishioners.  I have seldom heard reference to Jesus saying “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (taken from the Gospel [Good News] according to John chapter 13 verses 14-15 in the bible). Now why is it that when Jesus tells us to repeat the Last Supper (eucharist or mass) the church does it every week but foot washing only once a year?

While foot washing is a great act of humility (there was a lady given an honour last week for doing this for homeless people) I like to think that there’s more to it… When Christians are baptised the water that is used signifies cleansing from sin (doing things that aren’t in keeping with the way God suggests [and he doesn’t force us] we behave) – that’s it, a once and for all sacrament (outward sign of an inward truth). However, we all get mud and dust on our feet on this road of life and I think Jesus is calling us to help each other by listening to and forgiving one another to help to wash the mud off our feet.

 One other thought – there’s a different feeling when we walk in open sandals to big boots – having more skin exposed makes us more open and in touch with the environment – perhaps there’s also something here about being vulnerable?