Wash Yourselves Clean

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt  23:1:12*

*First Reading : Is 1: 10; 16-20*

*Wash Yourselves Clean*

*1) Washing - an important activity*

In our daily life, we know the importance of Washing 

When our clothes are dirty, we wash it 

When the cooking vessels are not clean we clean it 

When our surroundings are not clean, we try to clean it 

When our House is dirty we clean it 

When the food material is dirty, we wash it and we clean it 

When our body is dirty we wash it and we clean it 

*2) Washing can't be postponed to indefinite time*

All the above mentioned things, call for immediate attention

Some of the things can be postponed for one or two days or maximum one week 

So cleaning becomes very important in our life  

*3) Washing and Cleaning from morning till Evening*

From the moment we rise and till we retire to our bed, the activity of washing passes through our life in different phases

Including our body, there are many things which we pay attention to washing and cleaning  

In other words the amout of time we spend in washing and cleaning need to pay attention

*4) Washing and cleaning prevents us from sickness*

During Covid pandemic, one of the slogans which was very famous *Wash*

Wash your hands, wash your face, wash your body etc 

This is precisely because, washing would prevent us from getting affected with Sickness

*5) Washing from the Spiritual point*

The First reading speaks about Washing and becoming clean 

Prophet Isaiah says, 

Wash yourselves from the misdeeds 

Wash yourselves from the evil things 

Wash yourselves from bad things 

Wash yourselves from injustice

Wash yourselves from wrong things 

Wash yourselves from arrogance

So these things speak about the Spiritual washing and not of bodily or external washing 

*6) Reconciliation : A Washing Sacrament*

We have a special sacrament for Washing which is called Confession or Reconciliation

This sacrament is so powerful, it has all the chemical, to clean any types of stains, and make ur pure and immaculate

That's why Prophet Isaiah says *Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow, Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.*

This is the Power of the sacrament of Reconciliation

*7) Am I ready to be Washed by Jesus?*

Lent is a special time for spiritual washing 

The spiritual wash is very important, which can't be postponed. 

When we postpone cleaning of something, it starts to stink. Likewise the postponing of Spiritual wash, results in stinking our image, our behavior, our life, our soul and our value system

So am I ready for a wash? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*