Holy Week - Wednesday

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which He looks

Compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which

He walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are His body.

Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

~ St. Theresa of Ávila

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How can I care for myself, so I can continue to walk for good?

One Holy Week many years ago I decided, in the middle of the craziness of planning services and juggling crises, to have a pedicure. As I sat in the massage chair, thinking about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples before they celebrated the Passover together, I said a prayer of thanks to those nail-salon workers who care for our feet.

I must admit, that as a pastor, I have only participated in a foot-washing once. It was so moving to me, to be the one washing feet but when it came time for my feet to be washed, it was uncomfortable (Why is the person I admire kneeling on bad knees, washing MY feet?), embarrassing (what if my feet are dirty?) and strange (I don't think I want to do THAT again.)

But that is really the point, isn't it? Jesus' compassionate servant leadership makes us uncomfortable. It is difficult work and so, we need to care for ourselves so that we are able to do the physical, emotional and spiritual work of Christ.

And we need to ask for help when we are overwhelmed: Ask a friend to listen as we vent. Ask a spiritual advisor or mentor when the answers are difficult to find. Ask a colleague to fill in when you need a break. Book an appointment to get a pedicure.

How can I care for myself, so I can continue to walk for good?