Nurse reflects on Maundy Thursday foot washing

On Maundy Thursday I had my feet washed as part of the ceremony of the Mass of the day. I have frequently had my feet washed before. It is a humbling experience. The priest kneeling in front of me, washing, then kissing my foot.

I know that at the time of Christ it was customary to wash the feet of a visitor as they arrived after a dusty journey. A servant or a slave or a woman washed the feet of the guest. The custom recognised the discomfort of feet dusty and sore from walking or travelling over unpaved roads, wearing in our view, inadequate footwear. Perhaps this custom had been neglected for the disciples when they sat to celebrate the Passover. Perhaps when they went to arrange the meal they forgot to arrange the details or didn't think it was necessary. They had after all been in Jerusalem that week, they had not travelled a long distance, and they had bathed.

At any rate, the disciples' feet had not been washed before the meal. Usually If the host noticed it had not been done, he would have instructed someone else to take on the role. But on this occasion Jesus prepared himself to take on the task himself.

Peter protested. But Jesus said, 'no one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over'.

When I was a student nurse I was taught with much care how to wash a person when they were confined to bed. We were taught to treat that person with great care and dignity at all times. Using hot water, clean linen and enabling that person to feel a better person for that bath.

We were also taught to wash their feet and hands. Initially, carefully with soap and water, and then we held the limb gently over the bowl and 'streamed' water (squeezed water) over the foot or hand from a sponge or flannel. This was not necessary to make the foot or hand clean. It made the person feel fresh and renewed from that treatment. Talking to friends nearly fifty years on from those days, we all remember that care of a person's feet and hands. And if we need that care now, wish it still happened today.

I think Jesus was not washing the disciples' feet as we understand washing. They had bathed and were not dirty. Instead he was 'streaming' their feet, and making them feel fresh and renewed. He was preparing them for the future, and for their responsibilities to refresh and renew us.

This Maundy Thursday foot washing was different for me this year. It was humbling. But it also renewed me and refreshed me ready for my task in the days and weeks ahead. That warm water and soft towel did more for me than any amount of words. And as I remember 'streaming a patient's foot' so long ago, I hope the memory of my Maundy Thursday foot washing continues to touch me in the future.

Based in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, Jo Jacques is a qualified nurse and has two theology degrees. A former school chaplain, she is now foundation governor of special school in diocese and trustee of charity supporting nurses.