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."
