Gairney Bridge

If you don’t believe me, take a look at the caption to this photo (skillfully pilfered from the desk calendar of one of the ladies in our church!):

The caption might be a little difficult to read in the photo. It says:

After a good cuddle or play session, most cats will wash themselves thoroughly, not simply to smooth ruffled fur, but also to remove the human scent and make sure that their own smell regains prominence.

I’m reminded of this passage in the Gospel of Mark:

The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: `THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” ~ Mark 7:1-8

In explaining this passage, William Hendricksen comments:

The marketplace, a gathering center for many people, was naturally looked upon as being especially defiling. A Jew might brush up against a Gentile! Therefore, coming from such a place, these Jews did not dare to eat unless they had first of all complied with whatever it was that tradition demanded regarding hand rinsing. (New Testament Commentary, p. 273)

I can almost hear that cat purring right now: “Unclean! Unclean!”