Jim Wallis

We need to walk together, day by day, through the days of this holy weekend — in the midst of this modern plague. Here I offer my map for that journey.

Today, we remember the Last Supper, the first communion, and the washing of the disciples’ feet. The occasion for which Jesus and his disciples gathered was a Passover Seder. And last night, Jews everywhere observed their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the most terrible of the 10 plagues visited on Pharaoh: the slaughter of the firstborn, which moved like a wave through the Egyptian people. In this time of social distancing, it’s hard not to feel eerie parallels as we shelter in our homes while an invisible killer sweeps through our communities, sickening and killing many. Though now we have no guaranteed protection, no lamb's blood over our doors — despite what some Christians who have continued to worship in groups have said. There is greater randomness to the way the coronavirus attacks.

In John’s depiction of Maundy Thursday, we get some critical guidance from Jesus as he washes his disciples’ feet. He teaches us that good leadership is exercised through service; in John 13:34-35, Jesus instructs his disciples in the following way: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Loving each other in the midst of a global pandemic may look a little different for a while — a big part of demonstrating that love and commitment to each other is maintaining physical distance for as long as it takes to turn the tide of the epidemic. But the care and support we offer each other is critical to our vocation, especially for those most at risk of contracting the virus or those impacted by our economic devastation the hardest.

... So how do we find ways in the midst of this plague to wash each other’s feet?

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