On Palm Sunday we sang an anthem in the choir “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris, choral setting by Lloyd Larson. In practice before church, I made the same mistake twice. (For this recording I think I finally said it correctly: I’m the alto voice you hear.)
The lyrics include “I was so lost, I should have died, but you have brought me to your side to be led by your staff and rod and to become a lamb of God.” I kept mindlessly saying held by your staff and rod. After making this same mistake a third time, I wondered why my mind replaced led with held.
My spiritual journey has been long now. I tuned into my Episcopal upbringing while I was in high school. I attended youth retreats and memorized the words to “Let There be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with Me.” Even at age 15 I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Over the last decade or so, our larger national church has been controversial. Things have settled a bit, but I am hurt by the numbers of people who have left our church over issues of equality. Where was their faith? In the Baptismal Covenant we agree to “respect the dignity of every human being.”
In my spiritual journey, I am Held by God in dignity with grace that is freely given, given because I was simply born. Amazing, really. Traditionally on Maundy Thursday, we have a foot washing ceremony at the evening service. I imagine what it would have felt like to have Jesus wash my feet.
Footwashing
Margaret Simon, draft
He held my foot
as cradling an infant
with tender touch
caressed a cloth
over and under soiled skin
I should have been embarrassed
but I felt no shame. only love.
The Kidlit Progressive Poem is with Donna Smith today. It will be here tomorrow for Good Friday/ Poetry Friday.
Reflections on the Teche 
Thank you for the small moments singing with your choir and the longer journey of faith you shared. Your poem says so much… God’s love so great that it can overcome, replace shame.
I wonder if you have heard the song Held by Natalie Grant. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0UTiei4ftMc
Margaret, I love your poem. We often feel ashamed because of something we did. We forget that God’s love in unconditional. He accepts us as we are and forgives our failures.
We say the words over and over but don’t believe them. God is Love! Thanks for commenting.
Beautiful, Margaret – thank you.
Margaret, the last two lines in your poem speak so beautifully of the love that the Lord shared with the world. The word shame is interesting and refers back to Jesus’ time. Peter questioned the process because Jesus was noted as the Lord not the servant. At some foot washing ceremonies, I fill the presence of the Spirit of the Lord.
Thank you for sharing your song.
Margaret, I am reading your post on Good Friday; your singing is a beautiful way to start a day of contemplation. I found it interesting that some have left your church because of inclusivity, while I have all but left mine because of exclusivity. Love is Love is Love…why is that so hard for some to understand?
It is an interesting dynamic. I live in a red state. I struggle daily to understand the friends I love.
Thanks for sharing this recording. It’s a blessing to listen to your voices praise God. I have joined choir in our new congregation, a challenge after not singing for awhile.
I’ve never participated in foot washing, but love these words from your poem, “as cradling an infant
with tender touch.” What a gift to feel His love in this way.
Margaret: I have sung that in choir also, and I love it. Thank you for sharing your journey and your poem. Much to contemplate.
Margaret, such a beautiful juxtaposing of words – held vs led… Probably the most powerful image of Christ for me is The Good Shepherd. I love the idea of being held by his staff – something seemingly impossible, yet not for God. Even in this time of struggle and doubt, I am certain of being held by Grace. Your song is beautiful, too. Easter blessings!