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April 9, 2009

A Strange Washing of Feet

An early hymn on the miracle of Maundy Thursday.

Mark Galli

Maundy Thursday is the day the church remembers the Last Supper and Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet. Anglican "blogger" Barbara Gauthier posted this ancient hymn on her daily newsletter:

What could be stranger than this?
What more awesome?

He who is clothed with light as with a garment (Ps. 104:2)
is girded with a towel.

He who binds up the waters in His clouds (Job 26:8),
who sealed the abyss by His fearful Name,
is bound with a girdle.

He who gathers together
the waters of the sea as in a vessel (Ps. 33:7)
now pours water in to a basin.

He who covers the tops of the heavens with water (Ps. 104:3)
washes in water the feet of His disciples.

He who has weighed the heavens with His palm
and the earth with three fingers (Is. 40:12)
now wipes with undefiled palms
the soles of His servants’ feet.

He before whom every knee should bow,
of those that are in heaven,
on earth and under the earth (Phil.2:10)
now kneels before His servants.

Cyril of Alexandria (375-444)

posted by Mark Galli | Comments (1)

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Interesting the use of the word "strange".

I've just a posted the lyrics (and a link) to Martyn Joseph's song "Strange Way" - which is my "Song For Good Friday".

I guess our problem is that we have lost the sense of "strange-ness".

Posted By: Mark McConnell | April 9, 2009 1:23 PM