The Word Among Us
Today's Meditation: John 13:16-20
. . . so that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 13:18)
Jesus had just washed the feet of the apostles, including Judas, whom Jesus knew was going to betray him that very night. That’s why he quoted Psalm 41:10: “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.” He wanted to show the others that Judas’ betrayal was actually part of God’s fulfillment of the Scriptures (John 13:18).
Isn’t it amazing how God can use even the bitterest of betrayals to fulfill the Scriptures and his promise to save his people? God’s ways so often look nothing like what we expect. Faithful Jews awaited a Messiah who would rescue Israel. They could look back to heroes of their national past, such as Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and David, and conclude that they needed another mighty hero to overturn the Roman occupation and reestablish the kingdom.
But in Jesus, the heir to the throne of David, fulfillment of the Scriptures looked quite different from what anyone expected. He would not rule by force or domination. Instead, he would be betrayed by one of his closest companions and ultimately give up his life on the cross out of love for his people.
So on a night suffused with great promise and hope, Jesus showed his disciples what kind of coronation he would receive and what kind of kingdom he was establishing. By washing his disciples’ feet, he showed them that he is a king who serves his servants. Over the next few days, they would see a king who lays down his own life for his subjects. They would see a king who defeats even death, a king who offers to cleanse them every day by washing away their sins.
Jesus wants to come into your life and serve you. This is not what you might have expected from the King of the universe, but it is exactly how God has chosen to fulfill the Scriptures. So open your heart to him, and let him serve you today. Let him forgive your sins and wash you clean. Let him be your Servant-King, both now and forever.
“Jesus, thank you for serving me, cleansing me, and laying down your life for me!
Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us PartDaily Marriage Tip for May 7, 2020:
A trip down memory lane: Recall the first full day of your marriage. Did you go on a honeymoon? Was it exhilarating or exhausting? Remember your first home as a married couple. What did you like best about it? Are you still in it? Reminisce together.
Homily of the DayMay 7, 2020Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
The relationship of a rabbi and his students in Israel was seen as a master-disciple relationship. The students of any particular rabbi were bound to imbibe the thought and style of their master. There were even a number of schools of thought to choose from in deciding which rabbinic school of thought to enter.
In the Christian walk, we are called to follow Jesus intimately. He is our Master as he has shown us the way to the Father. In fact, Jesus is the only way to the Father. Our lives as Christians not only need to be modeled upon the life and thought of Jesus. They also need to come into submission to it. “Submission” is another word which our society is not very fond of. However, again, this is precisely the right word to describe the type of master-disciple relationship that is necessary for Christian discipleship.
Jesus becomes the Master of our lives or he does not. The extremity of these comparisons captures the difference between a mediocre life and the life of a saint. It is because the saints lived their lives out there on the edge of human existence that they appeal so much to our imagination. The difficult thing to do is to tell ourselves that the saints not only have to live in our imagination but that we must also follow in their footsteps in the same way that they followed in Jesus’ footsteps.
A life of discipleship is about putting Christian principles into daily practice, not just thinking about how good it would be if only we could put them into practice. The saints were probably the greatest individualists of their times but their lives were always in total submission to their Master, Jesus Christ. It is time to start putting some of those thoughts into practice. Jesus was a man of action. He never stood by and did nothing. Ask the Lord Jesus today to take hold of your life and make something out of it by following his example.
One Bread, One Body
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
a heeling mass?
"He who partook of bread with Me has raised his heel against Me." —John 13:18
In the time of Jesus, showing the bottom of your foot to someone was a sign of contempt toward them. Judas, in betraying Jesus, no longer considered Jesus his Master. Judas had committed to the service of new masters, the Sanhedrin. "No man can serve two masters. He will ... be attentive to one and despise the other" (Mt 6:24). Therefore, Judas despised Jesus. By eating the Last Supper with Jesus, Judas showed the greatest contempt for Him (Ps 41:10), even if he outwardly appeared sociable.
When you break bread with Jesus at Mass, are you coming to serve Jesus as your Master? Do you have His interests in mind? Are you listening for a message from Him? (Jn 13:16) Or do you come to Mass while serving someone else, such as yourself? If you are serving anyone else but Jesus, you'll eventually love them and despise Him (Mt 6:24). Others may see your Mass attendance as respectful, but that's not what Jesus sees. He may see the bottom of your foot raised against Him in contempt (Jn 13:18).
How do you spend your prime time? Your answer tells you what you serve. If the answer is not Jesus and His interests, repent now. Give up all that you have to gain Jesus as your Treasure and your Master (Mt 13:44). When you humble yourself and accept Jesus as your Master, Lord, and Savior, you paradoxically discover who you are (Mt 10:39). "Once you know all these things, blest will you be if you put them into practice" (Jn 13:17).
Prayer: Father, I will live no longer for myself but for Jesus (2 Cor 5:15). Help me to love Jesus in the Mass ever more deeply.
Promise: "Through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness." —Ps 89:2
Praise: Explaining the Eucharist to his children made Carl more in awe of Jesus' Real Presence in Holy Communion.
