Love (and Easter)

This week marks the beginning of holy week at Mount Vernon. So, obviously the chapel services are about the events leading up to Christ's death and resurrection. Today when I walked in to the sanctuary, I noticed there were bowls and towels lining the steps of the stage. The passage about Jesus washing the disciple's feet was read, and our chaplain explained that Jesus did this as an expression of love toward His disciples. In our society, our feet are usually covered by socks and shoes most of the time. But our chaplain went on to say while our feet are covered, our hands are exposed all the time. They can get very dirty sometimes. As we had worship time, he extended the invitation to us to come down to the altar and take a towel, dip it in the water, and wash some one's hands; to do it to show our love for them. I liked how he talked about our hands instead of our feet (but I also think it was because he knew a lot of students probably didn't want to touch other people's feet).

As the band started to play, people started getting up and going down to either take communion or pray or wash hands. I was sitting at my seat, just observing. I wanted to wash my friends' hands, but for some reason I was hesitant. I didn't want it to be awkward and I wasn't sure if I should. I didn't know if they would be comfortable with it. As I thought about it more, I realized something. When Jesus washed the disciple's feet, He didn't think about if what He was doing was right or appropriate, or what they would think of Him. He just did it. He did it to show His love for them. So I got up, took communion, picked up a towel and dipped it in water. I walked back over to where we were sitting. I didn't really say anything to my friends, but there wasn't anything that needed to be said looking back on it. Our faces said it. As I looked at each of my friends, their expressions told me. They understood. I just took each of their hands and washed them. It was one of the coolest experiences I've had in chapel. I wanted my friends to know that I love them. They are my sisters in Christ. My wonderful, crazy, supportive, hilarious, beautiful sisters in Christ. As I was walking out of the isle, my friend Alex took the towel from me and washed my hands. There is nothing more beautiful and touching to me than seeing the love of Christ being lived out. I saw His love today.