“He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded”    

(John 5:13)

We went on a mission trip to Kenya in the summer of 2009. While we were there, we celebrated the feast of the Apostles on July 12^th. During the Liturgy of the Apostle’s feast, we fulfill the rite of washing the feet. I prayed the liturgy there, and practiced the rite of washing the feet of the congregation.  Everyone attending was from the city there. They all came with bare feet or wearing slippers. The roads in Kenya are unpaved and dusty. I sat on the floor to wash their feet from the dust of the road. It was as if I was practicing this rite for the first time. Every time during my priesthood years in Egypt or America, I would just anoint the feet of the people, and their feet were always clean because they were wearing socks and shoes. When I finished the washing of the feet for the Kenyan congregation, the floor of the church where I washed their feet was all muddy (dust and sand mixed with water). I looked at this muddy floor and I rejoiced because the floor was dirty, but their feet were clean.

This realization took me to the scene where Jesus sat on the floor to wash the feet of His disciples. I contemplated in the Foot Washer, Our Lord Jesus, who washed the disciples from cowardness (Peter), doubt (Thomas), from failing in the test of faith (Philip in feeding the crowd), and from fear (all the disciples at the cross).

Our Lord Jesus Christ asked us to wash each others feet. I wonder how many of us are true foot washers or how many of us are truly willing to wash feet? How many of us are willing to sit in a muddy place, whereas all who come to are left clean?

It is not easy, but I pray for my weakness, for the church, for the servants and the shepherds all over the world so that we can all practice this great service. “the service of washing the feet.”  And there is no one to learn from except

“The true Foot Washer, Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from the poor brother.” (Deuteronomy 15:7)

I went to the book of Ruth, and there I found myself interested in a conversation by three women talking (Ruth 1:8).  I stood still because I wanted to see how the conversation was going to end. I heard Naomi saying to her two daughters-in-law: “Go back.” (Ruth1:11). I said to myself this makes sense; Naomi is an old woman and she does not have any more sons to offer as husbands.  She has nothing in this foreign country. And then Naomi confirmed what I was thinking about. This thought was reason and logic.

Surely there was no need or justification for the daughters to go with her since they are not Israelites.  They do not know the tradition of the Israelites and Naomi is not a wealthy woman by where the men of Israel would find attraction to take any of her daughters-in-law as wives. And as I followed the current talk between them I saw Orpah kissing her mother-in-law and returning back to her parent’s house. I said to myself she did the right thing using logic and reason.  What then came to my attention is Ruth did not do the same as Orpah, but insisted to stay with her mother-in-law.  I found myself in front of a scene in which I could not stay silent.  I felt Ruth was being unreasonable; how could she go with a poor old woman who was unable to take care for herself?

I whispered in Ruth’s ear and said: “Think a little bit about what you are intending to do, this old woman is poor and has to be dependent on anyone in which she can rely.  No one can afford this old woman’s expenses.”

Ruth turned to me and said: “Do you not believe in the God of Israel?” I said with confidence: “Of course I believe in the God of Israel.”

She said again: “Did he not tell you if you see your brother in need, you shall not harden your heart?”

I answered: “Yes, He said this, but this commandment is hard just like other commandments that are hard to accomplish.”

She said: “This commandment is not hard nor is any commandment hard, but your heart is hardened and tough. Then she said “Do not stop me from going with her.”  She left me to continue her conversation with her mother in-law with persistence.

I looked down and fled, while I felt sorry for myself and my harden heart. I sighed and prayed that God would give me a softened heart to have pity when I see the needs of my brother and do not to hinder myself.

“And I do not harden my heart later on”