As we remember the words Jesus shared during the Last Supper, “This is my body broken for you…this is my blood poured out for you,” let’s also take time to reflect on Jesus’ actions before breaking bread and pouring wine. The following passage is from John 13:1-17, the story of when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Son Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’

Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’

‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’

Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’

‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’

Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.'”

In this time of social distancing, we often feel helpless – how are we supposed to wash others’ feet from at least six feet away? Our present and future seems so uncertain with so many questions and very little answers. It’s easy to become anxiously obsessed with the news we see each day. We have deep hurts.

Yet Jesus says he has set an example for us without exemption. Jesus didn’t say, “Wash others’ feet unless there’s a global pandemic … unless you are quarantined … unless there is uncertainty.” I think Jesus would say people need their feet washed now more than ever, but the way that we do that probably just looks different in this season.

Maybe it means calling loved ones or neighbors to check on them, donating homemade face masks to your local hospital, showering the world in prayer.

Here at CEPAD, our ministry continues, even if it looks a little different. Farmers being able to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables from their land? Not canceled. Empowered women working from home? Not canceled. Pastors caring for their communities? Not canceled. Teens and young adults helping the children in their communities during these uncertain times? Not canceled.

Yes, all of those things mean doing it while social distancing, but now more than ever our ministry is essential.

If you want to wash the feet of your global neighbor, you can get involved and make a gift to enable much-needed empowerment during this season.