The Feast of Washing

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 13:1-15*

*First Reading : Ex 12:1-8, 11-14*

*Second Reading -  1 Cor 11:23-26*

*The Feast of Washing*

*1) Holy Thursday - Washing Ceremony*

One of the important rites which we perform on the Holy Thursday is Washing of the Feet 

Considering this event, one can call the celebration of the Holy Thursday as the Washing Celebration

The Symbolic washing by  Jesus has a deeper meaning to our life  

*2) Washing By Water*

Holy Thursday Jesus washed the feet of His disciples with the Water 

This beautiful incident is recorded in todays Gospel

All the details about this washing - Washing by the Water is recorded in the Bible 

*3) Washing By Blood*

On the Holy Friday the same Jesus Washes not only the feet but the entire person or the entire humanity through His Blood 

By shedding the Last drop of His blood on the Cross Jesus washed the sins of the Humankind with His blood 

So, Friday becomes *Good* because Jesus washed the sins through His blood. 

So it is a celebration of the Washing through the Blood

*4) Washing though the Blood and Water - Divine Mercy Jesus*

On Good Friday we begin the Novena of Mercy Jesus 

On 2nd Sunday of Easter we celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy 

The Divine Mercy Jesus clearly shows the importance of Water and Blood through the White and red rays 

So the Mercy of Jesus washes the Entire Human being through the water and blood which comes out from the heart of Jesus 

*5) Sacrament of reconciliation and the Celebration of Washing*

Today the Washing celebration of the Heart and Mind of the Human beings take place though the sacrament of reconciliation

The same Jesus who washed the feet of His disciples, washes the hearts and minds of His followers through the sacrament of reconciliation 

Once again even in the Sacrament of reconciliation the Water and Blood take very significant role in forgiving the sins of the people and giving them new life 

*6) My role in the feast of Washing Celebration*

Even today Jesus is ready to wash our hearts and minds 

What is my response? Will I say like Peter *You will never wash my feet*

Am I afraid of participating in the feast of Washing? 

*7) No participation without Washing*

Its very clear that, without washing no one can participate in the banquet of the Lord 

Jesus says *Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me*

So *Washing* is very important in our Life 

*If So, What is my opinion?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*