Preacher: Canon Graham
Date: 09/04/2020
Maundy Madness and Ticklish feet!
For many years, too many now that I care to remember, I have either sung at, or presided at Maundy Thursday services. The celebration mid-way through Holy Week draws together so many rich images that complement our personal pilgrimage, journeying with our Lord.
One such image for me is the whole ceremony around foot washing. Nobody gets near my feet I am so ticklish it is unbelievable! And yet, a few years ago a priest colleague shared with me the picture of Jesus kneeling in front of Peter, and washing his Feet. I have asked Hugo to use this picture as the backdrop to my address this evening.
This picture captures beautifully the essence of the one who came to serve, not to be served….in an instant the whole purpose of my earthly ministry came into focus, it was at that moment that I realised that I needed to humble myself and grovel at the feet of those I had come to serve if I was to earn their respect and truly become their parish priest. The flip side was that I also had to learn to receive ministry from my colleagues, and in so doing overcame the ticklishness and have ever since had my feet washed by one of my colleagues. In servant hood it so important to receive, as well as to give.
Because we are unable to share physically in the experience of the ‘Last Supper’ this evening in our church buildings, all the more reason why we should perhaps use this time to reflect and ponder what this Maundy madness is all about!
The effort in preparation during Lent, and the shadowing of the cross through Holy Week draws us to this point where we find ourselves ‘waiting in the garden’.
Many years ago Angela and I had the privilege of sharing in a Eucharist in the garden of Gethsemane, standing amongst the ancient Olive trees the root stock probably going back to the time of our Lord. The experience was so uplifting and very moving, I recall it as though it happened yesterday.
Throughout my ministry I have tried to recapture something of this waiting in the garden. My personal preparations throughout Holy Week, and this lingering in the garden with our Lord hone for me the heightened expectation that something is going to happen. Usually if I am being honest, I end up in tears, overcome with emotion and love, for our Lord, and truly the whole experience re-invigorates my personal spirituality. The whole experience then leads me into the time of waiting known as the ‘watch’. Aileen has prepared the readings for our watch this evening, and you will find them on the website if you would like to linger in the garden into the silent hours of this most holy night, praying for yourself, your church family and keeping awake with the Lord…
“Stay here and watch with me, watch and pray”… I am sure you know the gospel accounts so well!
I invite you following the service this evening, to look at those readings on the website and spend some time in reflection and stillness, as you contemplate these last few days of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospel. Trying to understand what can this mean for you as you linger in the garden, with our Lord, can you wait with the Lord, and watch, and pray? Amen.