The day has many names, sample a couple - Maundy Thursday, 'Pesaha Vyaazham' in Malayalam, the day of the 'Last Supper'.
It was on this day that Jesus Christ had played the perfect host and provided supper to his close disciples. That one of those disciples had played dirty to hand him over to his tormentors for a mere thirty pieces of silver, consequent to the supper, highlights the fickleness of human relationships in this world experienced by none other than the son of God!
To commemorate the great day, the Christian priests all over the world, headed by the Pope had washed the feet of the people and kissed them. Pope Francis had washed the feet of the inmates of a prison in nearby Vatican.
I've always been fascinated by the quaint customs and traditions practised in each and every religion of the world. Coming to the specific aspect of washing the feet of the guest, it's a common practice to wash one's face, hands and feet before sitting to dine - in fact, drilled into our system by our parents from childhood, to encourage cleanliness!
And you go a step further by showing as to how you value your guest by washing his/her feet and kissing them! It also highlights the humility, inherent in the action - only an individual without any trace of ego can get himself to do such a selfless act!!
As I was winding up my customary evening walk, I saw a long procession of men, women and children holding lighted candles, praying silently and moving towards their church.
Seeing them a strange sort of assurance befell me - so long as man believes in god, that thought would prevent him from doing anything wrong to mankind.
Tailpiece.
It's my fond hope that the sentiment for one's god is based on love and not fear!
It was on this day that Jesus Christ had played the perfect host and provided supper to his close disciples. That one of those disciples had played dirty to hand him over to his tormentors for a mere thirty pieces of silver, consequent to the supper, highlights the fickleness of human relationships in this world experienced by none other than the son of God!
To commemorate the great day, the Christian priests all over the world, headed by the Pope had washed the feet of the people and kissed them. Pope Francis had washed the feet of the inmates of a prison in nearby Vatican.
I've always been fascinated by the quaint customs and traditions practised in each and every religion of the world. Coming to the specific aspect of washing the feet of the guest, it's a common practice to wash one's face, hands and feet before sitting to dine - in fact, drilled into our system by our parents from childhood, to encourage cleanliness!
And you go a step further by showing as to how you value your guest by washing his/her feet and kissing them! It also highlights the humility, inherent in the action - only an individual without any trace of ego can get himself to do such a selfless act!!
As I was winding up my customary evening walk, I saw a long procession of men, women and children holding lighted candles, praying silently and moving towards their church.
Seeing them a strange sort of assurance befell me - so long as man believes in god, that thought would prevent him from doing anything wrong to mankind.
Tailpiece.
It's my fond hope that the sentiment for one's god is based on love and not fear!
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