the oldest commandment

Maundy Thursday. 

John 13:1–17, 33–35 

wash each other's feet

with your hands

remove the dust of the road

caress the cracks and the callouses

hold the story, hold the person

forgive the mis-steps and stumbles

welcome each other home

into your embrace

this is what I mean  

A Psalm for Maundy Thursday

Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19



Holy One has heard my voice:
to that love I return my love.

I will call on Holy One forever;
my vow of loyalty I make before all.

Holy One I say to you:
I am yours forever.

I will sing songs of thanksgiving,
my praise I sing with joy.

Holy One hears my voice:
to that love I return my love.

I will call on Holy One always;
a vow of loyalty I will make each day.

Disciples: remember

John 13:31–35 Maundy Thursday



In the midst of it all –
the foot-washing servanthood,
the salivating wolves, the knives
from friends poised to cut,
the presence of mind still to trust
this Sacred work of glory – in all
of this he paused to see
our fears, and speak
that reminder of law, of all
he’d come to teach us:
love. Look to each other
and love, that is what you can
do for me, must do with me
to show the Way to life: love.

to the end of love : Maundy Thursday

John 13:1–17






Oh but how I love them,
and I will love them
to the end, and back again
to new beginnings.

They make me laugh,
with ‘not my feet – you
cannot stoop so low
my Lord,’ then ‘Oh, I see,
wash all of me! Tip
it all right over my head!’

They make me cry,
not all of you are here
with all your heart
and understanding, I know
who will leave the path,
the group, our family.

But I’ll love them all,
flaws and jewels and love
them through it all
so fiercely that all my love
will change their love
to a stooping low before

each other as I have done,
to wash, to serve, to love.

Oh, how I love them –
God will they love them,
the ‘all’ we would have
them welcome in, love
them with me until the end?