The Touch of the Towel, a poem based on John 13:1-17, the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet
Jesus, you kneel before me
You remove my shoes and I am exposed
My feet are grimy
full of calluses and cracks
pungent with sweat and toe jam
I’m embarrassed by them
I pull back but you reassure
You’re not offended
I feel welcome in your hands
vulnerable, yet safe
The cleansing begins
I see your reflection in the ripples
I see me, too
Your water brings truth and life
Who I am and who I can be
I am whole and home in the touch the towel
You look at my neighbor and hand it to me
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Click Here for another reflection on John 13, entitled Jesus Washes Feet
Click Here for a reader’s theatre version of John 13
Click Here for a worship resource entitled Christ’s Call to Serve
Click Here for quotes and a worship resources entitled Lord Make Me Kind
The Touch of the Towel © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.
Revlisad.com 
This is one of my favourite passages. Another beautiful poem. Well done.
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Really love this poem. Please can I publish this with the attribution “The Touch of the Towel © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia” in a free church newsletter? Thanks.
Sarah Joiner
Absolutely. So glad it will be helpful to you. In the attribution please also add the website address revlisad.com Thank you and God bless you!
Our church just completed a congregational foot-washing ceremony and your poem will be the perfect compliment to our photos taken during the event. I am requesting permission to print your poem in our free monthly church magazine for May 2017 to include proper attribution and website.
Wonderful! I’m so glad it’s useful to you.
May we use this Poem in our Church Lenten challenge. I would be in our printed Bulliten
Absolutely! Blessings to you and your congregation. – Lisa <