Sermon Preached by the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally
St Paul’s Cathedral Chrism Eucharist 6th April 2023
1 Samuel 3.1-10 Revelation 1.5b-8 Luke 7.36-50
‘Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
You may have seen, last year, Quentin Letts in the Spectator suggesting that bed baths were more my bag than theology. Well, if by that he meant washing feet, I will take that.
Jesus is a guest at the house of a Pharisee – Simon. It is likely that it would have been a gathering of religiously and economically powerful men – men who carried the coveted social status of “creditor” rather than “debtor”. These men have come to hear Jesus talk; they have not come to listen to the sobs of a deeply indebted and sinful woman who, as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, began to wet his feet with her tears and to wash them. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
The woman is totally oblivious to what others were thinking. Everything she possesses is poured out upon Christ’s feet. This is absolute adoration, beyond ritual, beyond the liturgy, beyond an Order of Worship, beyond all practicality, beyond economic sense – and Jesus’ response is just as disarming.
I wonder if we need to be better at pouring ourselves out for God and not the world as the woman poured herself out for Christ and as Christ poured himself out for us? Not to be afraid of tears, for tears as suggested by David Runcorn challenge the adequacy of words to express what is going on within us. (The Language of Tears 2018) and in the words of Malcolm Guite it’s hard to see through tears, but sometimes it’s the only way to see.
And here in the midst of tears Jesus is not embarrassed by the act of love; he is not worried that others will think less of him or that the powerful are whispering about him in the cloisters. Jesus sees the woman as a child beloved of God. He blesses her, sending her out in peace and hope. Social and religious convention thrown out of the window, forgiveness and love setting new standards.
With everything going on around him – criticism and opinions about his credibility and public perception of his actions – his focus is on the woman who has just washed his feet. In John’s account of this anointing what he remembers is that the perfume fills the room. He clearly remembers it long after the episode has passed.
As part of the wonderful ‘Fruits of the Spirit: Art from the Heart’ exhibition at the National Gallery, there is a wonderful quote by the poet Rumi: ‘Acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after sharing’.
We are called to wash the feet of others in the model of the women and in the model of Jesus: events which we will recall across the church this evening. In the chaos which surrounds us, in the midst of criticisms and public perception, our focus should be on each individual whose feet we wash. We are called to wash with acts of kindness, so that divine love will linger long after the event. To wash the feet of even the one who is to betray us. For we are foot-washing people, or at least we should want to be.
So, be still and in the quietness hear the voice of God – the voice which called Samuel – re-calling you to the ministry which he has for you: the ministry of washing feet.
In 2013 just after the announcement of his election to the Roman Catholic papacy Pope Francis, on Maundy Thursday, washed and kissed the feet of twelve inmates of the Casa del Marmo, a juvenile detention centre. Many were shocked that two of the twelve young people whose feet he washed were women and one of them was a Muslim. Among the group were gypsies and North African immigrants. Traditionalists in the Roman Catholic Church were swift to criticize. Social and religious convention was thrown out of the window; forgiveness and love followed the standards of Christ. Pope Francis saw children beloved of God.
After celebrating mass, Francis addressed the gathering in the gym of the penitentiary with these words: “… thank you boys and girls, for your welcome today. I am happy to be with you. Go forward, alright? And do not let yourselves be robbed of hope, do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! Understand? Always with hope. Go forward!” (Zenit News Service, March 29, 2013)
The act of washing feet reminds us of the intimate and deeply compassionate human connections which give us life. Those kindnesses which lift our spirits because they honour one another as infinitely valuable and cherished and held in love – which, for me, speaks of God’s constant loving presence among us in whatever circumstances and conditions of life.
Today we are reminded in our Eucharist service that it is through Christ’s broken body and blood which was shed that we are able to give thanks, that we are worthy to stand in God’s presence and serve him. Not through the judgements of those around us but through the broken body and blood of Christ Jesus.
Be still and in the quietness hear the voice of God – the voice which called Samuel – say to you that you are worthy to stand in his presence and serve him.
As in this service oils are blessed for anointing – reminding us of our baptism, our ordination and consecration, and God’s healing in sickness and death – we know the cost of ministry.
We can only renew our commitment to our call if our lives are rooted in and refreshed by the love of God in Christ Jesus.
For my installation five years ago, Psalm 133 was wonderfully set to music. When the psalmist speaks of the precious oil poured on the head of Aaron they speak of it running down, down upon his beard, down up the collar of his robes. This precious and expensive oil was not just sprinkled on the top of the head, it was poured out for a real soaking, and because of the ingredients, myrrh, cinnamon, fragrant cane, cassia and olive oil (Exodus 30:23-25) the recipient was left surrounded by an exquisite aroma.
Be still and in the quietness let God not just to sprinkle us with his Spirit but to anoint us, allowing the oil to pour upon us and soak us. Be renewed in the holy Spirit and be equipped for ministry.
And as I pray that the aroma will remain with us in the days and weeks ahead let me finish in the words of Malcolm Guite’s Poem, ‘Maundy Thursday’
Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord,
Replenishing our every element
Remaking us in his creative Word.
For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit’s speech,
The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with His gentle touch.
And here He shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete,
In vain we search the heavens high above,
The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray Him, though it is the night.
He meets us here and loves us into light.
With the God of Love kneeling at our feet let us pray that we will want to be foot washing people.’