Foot Care and Feet Washing

I hate feet! I find that they are disgusting, ugly and most of all they smell. I hate when people touch my feet. And most of all, I hate when people play with their feet in front of me or worse in public places.

My distain for feet, like many things, has been changed while walking The Camino. Right now for example, someone is out here patching up their feet. It's funny, here one of the first questions people will ask one another is: "How are your feet holding up?" One of the first things people will do when they take a coffee or lunch break is take off their shoes and socks - and we do it at the table. And of all the different injuries people are nursing out here it's the feet that tend to get the most attention. I personally spend about 30 minutes a day caring for my feet, which is more time then I spend back home getting ready to go out or go to work. 

So why all attention on our feet? It's because feet represent a pilgrim's vulnerability, weakness and limitations. This is not the first time I hear this, but it is the first time that it makes sense. Growing up I heard the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet many times. In fact, I have probably come to take this act of servanthood and humility for granted, not realizing in what condition these men's feet would have been in. As pilgrims, we travel down gravel, dirt and rock-filled roads for nearly 30 km, in hiking shoes/boots; and at the end of the day our feet are in horrible conditions - I don't even want to touch my own feet! 

These aren't my feet, rather the person beside me. 

Jesus and His disciples traveled down roads in similar, possibly worse, conditions and distances; muchmore, they did this in SANDLES! Their feet had to be a terrible sight and yet He humbled himself and did a servants job! Wow, this act has taken a whole new level of what it means to serve and care for others. 

Interestingly enough, last night I attended a Pilgrim's Blessing, and there was a line in one of the prayers specifically addressing feet saying my exact thought about feet representing "vulnerability, weakness and limitations." This is so true! It's very hard to walk and move forward in your journey if you have any sort of injury on your feet - be it an infection, a blister, a stress fracture. This is why it is so important to properly wash and care for the feet, because without them we're essentially paralyzed. At the end of the blessing, the Augustinien Priest washed each of our feet, being sure to carefully dry them and even give them a symbolic kiss at the end. I was moved by the care that he showed us. There was no judgment or reaction for the condition of our feet, just a desire to care for us, to give our tired feet rest, and a gentle reminder to serve and care for one another no matter our condition or life situation. Again, it gives this Bible story that I grew up hearing a whole new meaning!

Time to go support and encourage some of the new members of the Blister Gang! 

- Buen Camino