Wash me Clean O Lord: Maundy Thursday

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13

I'll admit I don't like a stranger washing my feet.  It makes me feel uncomfortable.  I feel exposed and afraid.  I have avoided Maundy Service in the past when it requires foot washing - I just don't feel comfortable.  I don't know if it is pride, ego, fear - probably a combination of both.  I have psoriasis on my left foot and it is something I'd rather not reveal to a stranger, even my priest.  As I prepare for Maundy Thursday Service I realize it is time for me to approach the Jesus and ask with a humble heart, wash my feet - wash me clean.

I love to go walking - it is when I pray and find peace of mind.  Yesterday I heard my intuition telling me 'you need to let go of the sorrow, you need to say Lord wash me clean.'  I prayed to Lord to cleanse me heart and soul and then I started to think about Maundy Thursday and the ceremony of the foot washing.

On the night Jesus ate his last meal he humbled himself - he washed his disciples feet - and many of them objected as I do - 'No I'm not worthy' - Jesus insisted - he washed their feet - an important practice in the Middle East - were sand and grime made a man's feet the dirtiest part of their body.  Jesus did not hesitate to wash his disciples clean.  This is a foretelling of his sacrifice and the debts forgiven by his death on the cross.  While we may stumble, Jesus is willing to wash us clean - to heal us and remove every bit of grime from us body and soul.

Wash me clean O LORD
I am not worthy
I am frail
Wash me clean
I am dirty, sullied by the dirt
Wash me clean O LORD
restore my SOUL
Clean my heart, I let you in
Wash me clean
Wash me clean O LORD
Guide my steps so as my feet get dirty
My steps are lost in sinking sand,
Wash me clean, lead me to your promised land