What aspects of our lives need cleansing today?

On a global scale: St John’s Kirk contains memorials to those who died in the world wars. While war is the most obvious wrong,  the news media records all kinds of hurts and injustices.     

 On a personal level:  Those who heard John’s message would have been familiar with “washing “ as a symbol of personal repentance and cleansing, for none of us is perfect e.g. Psalm 51

“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity 
and cleanse me from my sin. 
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit
within me.“