Wednesday, March 31, 2010

John 13:14,15;34,35

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. . . 

. . . I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (NRSV)

Command
(mandatum novum do vobis- John 13:34a -Vulgate)

It came down as a choice made for us
before we could choose.
Pure ascription,
without wriggle room
to worry the pros and cons of image,
the vagaries of will.

For Chris, who is autistic:

•   1) go to the towel rack;
•   2) take a white towel, fold it, and lay it on this small table;
•   3) take a blue towel, fold it, and lay it beside the white towel on the small table;
•   4) take this brown bowl to the sink and open the tap until it is ½ full, at which point you will close the tap; see the line; you may do it now;
•   5) take this gray stool and position it 2 ft in front of that person;
•   6) that person's name is Alonzo; you need not speak; Alonzo, this is Chris; Chris, Alonso;
•   7) place the bowl on the floor at a 45 degree angle 1 ft to the right of the stool;
•   8) seat yourself on the stool;
•   9) taking the white towel in your hands, hold it in the water for 1 second; lift it out;
• 10) wring out the white towel until it is damp; yes, that is correct;
• 11) move the towel three times over the top of Alonzo's left foot;
• 12) move the towel three times over the top of Alonzo's right foot;
• 13) fold the towel and place it back on the table;
• 14) take the blue towel in your hands and unfold it;
• 15) move the blue towel three times over the top of Alonzo's left foot;
• 16) move the blue towel three times over the top of Alonzo's right foot;
• 17) fold the blue towel and place it on the table;
• 18) stand up;
• 19) replace the white towel and the blue towel on the rack where they were;
• 20) empty the brown bowl in the sink and place it under the “bowl” sign;
• 21) place the stool under the “stool” sign;
• 22) place the table under the “table” sign.
• 23) Thank you, Chris. Now you may take your seat. . .

. . . and so, 
we take our turn
deferring all options,
forgetting who we thought we are.

© 2010 Andy Gay