, and as all were leaning on their left arms, using the
right to eat, his head was close to the bosom of Jesus. He leaned then
on his breast and said: 'Lord, who is it?' I did not see Jesus say to him
with his lips: 'He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped.' I do not know
whether he whispered it to him, but John knew it, when Jesus having
dipped the bread, which was covered with lettuce, gave it tenderly to
Judas, who also asked: 'Is it I, Lord?' Jesus looked at him with love, and
answered him in general terms. Among the Jews, to give bread dipped was
a mark of friendship and confidence; Jesus on this occasion gave Judas
the morsel, in order thus to warn him, without making known his guilt
to the others. But the heart of Judas burned with anger, and during the
whole time of the repast, I saw a frightful little figure seated at his
feet, and sometimes ascending to his heart. I did not see John repeat
to Peter what he had learned from Jesus, but he set his fears at rest
by a look.

MEDITATION VII.

The Washing of the Feet.

They arose from table, and whilst they were arranging their clothes,
as they usually did before making their solemn prayer, the major-domo
came in with two servants to take away the table. Jesus, standing in
the midst of his Apostles, spoke to them long, in a most solemn manner.
I could not repeat exactly his whole discourse, but I remember he spoke
of his kingdom, of his going to his Father, of what he would leave them
now that he was about to be taken away, etc. He also gave them some
instructions concerning penance, the confession of sin, repentance, and
justification.

I felt that these instructions referred to the washing of the feet,
and I saw that all the Apostles acknowledged their sins and repented of
them, with the exception of Judas. This discourse was long and solemn.
When it was concluded, Jesus sent John and James the Less to fetch
water from the vestibule, and he told the Apostles to arrange the seats
in a half circle. He went himself into the vestibule, where he girded
himself with a towel. During this time, the Apostles spoke among
themselves, and began speculating as to which of them would be the
greatest, for our Lord having expressly announced that he was about to
leave them and that his kingdom was near at hand, they felt
strengthened anew in their idea that he had secret plans, and that he
was referring to some earthly triumph which would be theirs at the last
momen