as simple
as washing one another’s feet

Lord, forgive us
when we make discipleship
difficult

that was never
how you taught it

when I search your gospel teachings
I discover nothing more
and nothing less
than great simplicity

a basin and a towel
bread and wine
a simple touch
a word of forgiveness
a rhythm of prayer

take nothing for the journey

a grain of wheat
a mustard seed
the profound simplicity
of love

as simple
as washing another’s feet

forgive us
when we complicate discipleship
help us instead
to simply serve
out of your great love
and our
naked vulnerability

I held his gaze
for a lifetime

eternity
compressed within a second

eyes locked
in unspoken pain
and understanding

recognition
of a calling
too high
to walk away from
whatever
the excruciating cost

I knew about calling

and the cost of his
couldn’t have been higher

with every nerve in my body
I felt the inevitability of it

every
twist and turn
of the journey
every road
from the stable to now
had been leading
towards this path
propelling me
into this sword piercing pain
the agony
of watching him
steadily walk
towards his certain death

apology
love
fear
broken dreams
a lifetime of emotion
filled the air between us

we dare not let ourselves
come close
for fear
the nearness would break us
our love for each other
draw him away
from the call

I busied myself
bit my lip
got on with the difficult business
of being ordinary

this was the day

the hour
had nearly come

early in the morning
he rose to pray

slipped away
from the twelve

and watching
the gentle, soft light
of dawn
infuse the edges of the clouds
with brightness

he whispered

however you want this day
to unfold

let it be

let your glory
shine

Jewish carpenter
seeks committed, enthusiastic amateur
for communications exercise.

No knowledge of working with wood needed.
No references required.
Previous history and experience
completely irrelevant.
Past integrity and moral values
also unimportant.

Full job description currently unavailable
but likely to unfold as the work progresses.

Applicant will almost certainly be
required to travel;
may have to leave behind the known, familiar
and must be prepared to take risks.
Helpful if able to leave at short notice.

The job will almost certainly require skills
that are outside the candidate’s current experience,
but everything that is required
will be provided.

Salary cannot be guaranteed
and on occasions may be below the statutory minimum
but applicants are assured
that any reimbursement
will be sufficient to meet their basic needs.

Discernment and listening skills are desirable for this post
but on the job training will be available.

The job is likely to be unpredictable and challenging
and to take the successful applicant in new directions.
This is a highly rewarding position
for which the only essential attribute required
is an ability to
believe wholeheartedly in the project.

All applicants welcomed
with open arms.