Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/173

 of the  Scripture,  for  they  are  full  of  unction:  "Jesus knowing  that  His  hour  was  come,  that  He  should  pass out  of  this  world  to  the  Father,  having  loved  His  own who  were  in  the  world,  He  loved  them  to  the  end.  And when  supper  was  done,  knowing  that  the  Father  had given  Him  all  things  into  His  hands,  and  that  He  came from  God  and  goethto  God,  He  riseth  from  supper,  and layeth  aside  His  garments;  and  having  taken  a  towel,  He girded  Himself." (John xiii.  1.)

II. " After  that  He  poureth  water  into  a  basin,  and began  to  wash  the  feet  of  the  disciples,  and  to  wipe  them with  the  towel  wherewith  He  was  girded." (John xiii. 5.)  Behold  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth  washing  the feet of  poor  fishermen! Well might  St.  Peter  cry  out, " Lord,  dost  Thou  wash  my  feet?  Thou  shalt  never  wash my  feet." Ponder Christ's  severe  disapprobation  of  this disobedient expression:  "  If  I  wash  thee  not,  thou  shalt have  no  part  with  me." Learn, hence,  that  all  virtue  is false  that  is  in  opposition  to  obedience.

III. Christ washed  the  feet  of  Judas  also,  and  no  doubt with tender  expressions  of  kindness,  in  order  to  soften, his hard  heart;  but  in  vain. Learn to  love  your  enemies, and endeavor  to  reconcile  them  to  yourself  by  kind  offices. Guard, also,  against  the  misfortune  of  obduracy  of heart. "The wicked  man,  when  he  is  come  into  the depth  of  sins,  contemneth:  but  ignominy  and  reproach follow  him." (Prov. xviii.  3.)  Ponder  the  words  of Christ  after  He  had  washed  His  disciples'  feet:  "  I  have given  you  an  example,  that  as  I  have  done  to  you,  so  ye do  also."