When someone says, "His hands are stained with blood," we need not look for someone whose hands are literally dripping with blood.  We understand the phrase to mean the one referred to is responsible for someone's death.  He may not have actually plunged a knife into anyone, but his actions have ultimately led to that person's death.

Pontius Pilate knew how deep that kind of stain could be.  He tried to rid himself of the associated guilt of sending Jesus to the cross, by washing his hands in public.  He hoped that such an action would absolve him from all responsibility of condemning an innocent man.

But guilt is not removed by a symbolical act, not even those we consider minor violations of right and wrong.  Even professionals can seldom do more than cause patients to forget their guilt, or deny it altogether.  The only sure way to get rid of guilt is to admit it, and receive forgiveness from the one we have injured.  How do you deal with a guilty conscience?  Do you indulge in evasiveness, or do you seek forgiveness?

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