My friend Tashi is Sikh. We always have such interesting conversations about her religion as it is often misunderstood. The foundation of their faith is service to those in need, tenet seva or selfless service. Similar to good works in the Christian faith. The most important of their tenet seva is langar- providing a free meal to those who are hungry. These meals are provided daily at the Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, and are offered to anyone regardless of religious affiliation. In India some of the Gurdwara feed over 100,000 people a day.
Langar actually dates back to the 1500's and is an ancient Sikh tradition meant to teach sharing and care for our fellow human brothers and sisters. Everyone is seated together, as a community without separation by caste or class. At the table we are all equals.
The most beautiful part of langar is in the offering. Tashi tells me that each person is welcomed into the Gurdwara with great respect and dignity. Volunteers wash the feet of those who come for langar keeping with the religious traditions of cleaning the feet before entering the prayer hall. But the act in itself is full of humility and kindness. A reminder that we are all God's creatures and worthy of the same respect regardless of our current walk in life. For the many homeless who attend langar these simple acts of kindness inspire great hope.
Tashi's story reminds me of one summer as a teenager when I volunteered at a youth church camp in Seattle. I remember my Pastor telling us at orientation we would wash the children's feet as an act of service. It was one of the greatest ways to show respect and humility, and to treat them with the utmost kindness. There is something so simple about bowing before another to wash their feet. We humble ourselves.
I was a bit wary at first of the idea of toe jam, but when Pastor explained the Biblical significance of the act I realized how significant something so simple could be. Granted in Jesus' day people wore mostly sandals, so their feet would be quite dirty so foot washing was a necessity but typically done by servant. But before the Feast of Passover Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.
In John 13:1–16
"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
This serves as a lesson that no act of service is beneath us since we are all equals in God's eyes. Jesus himself bowed before the disciples and washed their feet. When we humble ourselves to serve one another we walk closer to God's grace. The Lord has given us love, kindness, and patience, it is our job to be a reflection of that in the world through service to others.