On Sunday, at the meeting of the elders following worship, one of the elders said something along the lines of, "it all boils down to communication." I almost jumped out of my seat applauding that statement. I have said several times that communication is key in a congregation our size. There must be free, two-way communication that is honest and loving. At Chalice, we communicate in a variety of ways: some formal (like this newsletter); some informal (those chats that are happening all around Mahany Hall as we take down our worship space). Sometimes communication occurs in ways that we don't even realize: the way a word is spoken; body language; the tone of our voice; an look in the eye. Even as one who loves the written word, I recognize its limitations because those elements are missing.
But oral or written, we communicate by what we say (or write) and by what we don't say. An unanswered email can make someone wonder whether they've caused offense or is the other person just busy. Lack of a response to a request can indicate a lack of interest...or is it just someone being overwhelmed.
Reading through the gospel accounts, Jesus was sometimes clear in his communications with his disciples and sometimes more cryptic. Some of the words that are attributed to him leave us scratching our heads; we feel like we're missing something. What could that parable mean? Why did he teach that? Often, indeed, we have missed some important background cultural information that is unrecoverable after more than 2,000 years.
At other times Jesus was clear: "Do this," he said on occasion. In fact the word "maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" which means "command." (Can you see how the two words intertwine?) On Maundy Thursday, that original Maundy Thursday just prior to his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus said "do this" a few times. Probably, most of us think of that meal that he instituted and told his disciples, including disciples for ages hence encompassing us in that commandment to eat the bread, drink the wine, remember me.
But Maundy Thursday's "do this" extends also to that surprising, turn-everything-upside-down tale when Jesus--the teacher, the leader--took a bowl and a towel and washed the feet of his followers. It was an apple cart upset sort of moment. But not only did Jesus get down on his knees and provide the expected hospitality of the day, he then told the disciples (again that includes us) that they were supposed to do the same thing: wash the feet of those who are "beneath" you; serve each other regardless of status; take care of the least of these. "Do this...do this," Jesus said.
That sort of communication is unequivocal; we can't argue it. How are you going to "do this"?
Pace e Bene,
Gerry
photo & text © Gerry Brague
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