To wash hands is Easy, but to wash one’s mind and heart is very difficult

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

18^th Week – Tuesday

Gospel – Matthew 15: 1-2, 10-15

 

To wash hands is Easy, but to wash one’s mind and heart is very difficult

 1) Real meaning of Washing of the Hands

•  We wash our hands to clean it from the dust or from other dirty things 
•  Washing is necessary from the point of view of health and hygiene
•  These days of COVID19 all of us have become  alert of the importance of washing of our Hands 

 2) Washing of Hands also reflects about the internal purity

•  One who is very particular about the external cleanliness, also pays attention to the internal cleanliness
•  Washing of the hands and the external cleanliness has direct connection with the cleanliness or purity of heart and mind. 

 3) Giving importance to only external ritual is a form of hypocrisy

•  The Pharisees and scribes were very particular about washing of their hands before meals 
•  The same issue is highlighted in today's Gospel. They came and questioned Jesus about his disciples attitude, for not washing their hands before the meals 
•  The scribes and Pharisees were giving importance only to the external ritual of washing. They didn't think of washing their mind, and heart, which is more important than washing of the hands 

 4) Washing of the hands are easy, but washing of the mind and heart is very difficult

•  Washing of the hands are easy because, it can be done quickly
•  It can be done by using of the chemical like soap 
•  It can be done with the water, which available easily
•  To wash hands we need not plan and spend so much of our energy

 *But washing of the heart and mind is very difficult*

•  This is because they are at the spiritual level and not at the physical level 
•  To wash our thoughts and feelings we need to  try at a different level

 5) Washing of the Mind and heart is more important than washing of the Hands

•  The real quality and worth of our life depends on our cleanliness of mind and heart 
•  A person who is able to wash his mind and heart can become a real follower of Jesus 
•  In fact all saints first of all washed their hearts and minds than their hands 

 6) Washing of the hands can be done by any one

•  Even an ordinary person can perform this ritual
•  Beginning from child till the last person, washing of the hands can be done easily. 
•  But washing of the heart and mind can be done by only those who wish to grow spiritually in their life and who show willingness to wash their hearts and minds 

 7)One who washes only His hands is a blind

•  Jesus clearly says that one who is only concerned about washing of the hands is Blind 
• Since his heart and mind is not washed they are not clean and he is not able to see clearly. So he is really blind and struggles a lot to have a real vision and purified feelings 

8) What about my life

• Am I concerned about washing of hands or Washing of mind and heart? 
• The entire Christian spirituality is centred around washing of mind and heart and not on washing of hands 
• One who is ready to wash his mind and heart can become the real disciple of Jesus. 
• Am I ready????

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore