The Last Supper (2)

Silence.
There was silence.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Not a nice, peaceful, companiable
silence
but one of
shock;
horror.
We were all stunned.

Up to that point
the meal had been going reasonably well.
It had got off to an unusual start
mind you.
As we were being served
Jesus
had got up,
taken off His robe
and wrapped
a towel
around His waist.
It was rather embarrassing really
and we didn’t know
what to say.
Then,
when He fetched
a basin
and poured water in
we realised what He was going to do.
He was going
to wash
our feet;
my feet
So many thoughts rushed through
my mind.
It’s not His job.
It’s not our job.
We came here
to celebrate;
to give thanks;
to remember;
to enjoy.
It’s someone else’s job.
We have more important things
to do;
to say;
to hear.
Why isn’t someone else doing it?

As all these thoughts rushed around
in my head
Jesus
got nearer.
He had reached Peter.
Well you know Peter.
I’ve told you about him before.
Not a man to take things
lying down;
always there with
a quick word –
never mind if it was
the right word.
And he didn’t disappoint
this time.
He objected.
I admired his courage.
I felt like objecting
but I wouldn’t have dared.
I would have let it happen;
gone through with it
and then
been glad it was over.
no fuss;
no scene;
But
that wasn’t Peter’s style.
To the point was Peter.
Even when
Jesus
tried gentle persuasion
he was having none of it.
Then Jesus
looked at him
and said more sternly,
‘Unless I wash you
you have no part
with Me.’
I had to look away.
I was so ashamed
of what I had been feeling.
I hoped fervently
that Jesus didn’t realise;
didn’t know my thoughts.
I kept my eyes lowered
as He knelt
in front of me.
I was so humbled.
I gave Him
one foot
and then the other.
He took
and He held
each one
in His hands
so tenderly;
so gently.
He washed them.
He dried them.
And in a strange way
He gave them back to me
clean,
strengthened,
renewed,
ready
for the next journey
wherever that might be.
He looked at me.
I looked back at Him
and He smiled.
Such a sad smile.
And my heart went out to Him.

He went back to His place
at the table.
The meal continued.
Conversation rallied.
We became relaxed again.
And then
He said,
‘One of you
will betray me.’

And that was
the reason for
the silence.



© Kathleen Wilks