Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 282
Lectionary: 282
From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."
So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."
So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"
Responsorial
PsalmPS 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 AND
27
R.(2) For
ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'"
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'"
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaSEE RV 1:5AB
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
GospelJN 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Meditation: "The
one who receives me"
How
do you treat those who cause you grief or harm, especially those who are close
to you in some way? In his last supper discourse, Jesus addressed the issue of
fidelity and disloyalty in relationships. Jesus knew beforehand that one of his
own disciples would betray him. Such knowledge could have easily led Jesus to
distance himself from such a person and to protect himself from harm's way.
Instead, Jesus expresses his love, affection, and loyalty to those who were his
own, even to the one he knew would "stab him in the back" when he got
the opportunity. Jesus used a quotation from Psalm 4:9 which describes an act
of treachery by one's closest friend. In the culture of Jesus' day, to
eat bread with someone was a gesture of friendship and trust. Jesus
extends such friendship to Judas right at the moment when Judas is conspiring
to betray his master. The expression lift his heel against me reinforces
the brute nature of this act of violent rejection.
Love
and loyalty that endure to the end
Jesus loved his disciples to the end and proved his faithfulness to them even to death on the cross. Through his death and resurrection Jesus opened a new way of relationship and friendship with God. Jesus tells his disciples that if they accept him they also accept the Father who sent him. This principle extends to all who belong to Christ and who speak in his name. To accept the Lord's messenger is to accept Jesus himself. The great honor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to speak for him and to act on his behalf. Are you ready to stand for Jesus at the cross of humiliation, rejection, opposition, and suffering?
Jesus loved his disciples to the end and proved his faithfulness to them even to death on the cross. Through his death and resurrection Jesus opened a new way of relationship and friendship with God. Jesus tells his disciples that if they accept him they also accept the Father who sent him. This principle extends to all who belong to Christ and who speak in his name. To accept the Lord's messenger is to accept Jesus himself. The great honor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to speak for him and to act on his behalf. Are you ready to stand for Jesus at the cross of humiliation, rejection, opposition, and suffering?
"Eternal
God, who are the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that
love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you; grant us so to know
you, that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve
you, whom to serve is perfect freedom, in Jesus our Lord." (Prayer of
Saint Augustine)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Master wants his servants to reach
their potential, by Origen, 185-254 A.D.
"The
Savior, who is Lord, does something that surpasses all other lords, who have no
desire to see their servants rise up to their level. He is such a Son of the
Father's goodness and love that, although he was Lord, he produced servants who
could become like him, their Lord, not having the spirit of bondage, which
comes from fear, but the spirit of adoption in which they too cry, 'Abba,
Father.' So then, before becoming like their teacher and lord, they need to
have their feet washed because they are still deficient disciples who possess
the spirit of bondage to fear. But when they attain the stature of master and
lord... then they will be able to imitate their master and wash the disciple's
feet as the teacher. (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
32.120-22)
THURSDAY, MAY 16, JOHN 12:16-20
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89)
KEY VERSE: "No slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him" (v.16).
TO KNOW: Chapter one through twelve of John's gospel is called the "Book of Signs." Chapter thirteen begins the "Book of Glory" (13:1--20:31). On the threshold of Jesus' passion, resurrection and glorious ascension, he took the role of a lowly slave, washing the feet of his disciples (v.1-15). He told his followers that as servants and messengers of the gospel (Greek, apostolos), they must imitate his humility and love: "You also should do as I have done to you" (13:15). A disciple was one who learned from the master, and acted on his words. If his followers truly understood this, they would be blessed, and all who received Jesus' messengers would be blessed in turn. But Jesus' words were not accepted by all. Jesus told his disciples that one of his own, Judas, was preparing to betray him. Jesus told his disciples this before it happened, "so that you will believe that I AM" (13:19). The name “I AM” indicates that he was equating himself with the "I AM" title of God revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14, Ego Eimi).
TO LOVE: How have I served the Lord and his people today?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to understand that the way to glory is through humble service.
Thursday 16 May 2019
Acts 13:13-25. Psalm 88(89):2-3, 21-22, 25, 27. John 13:16-20.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm
88(89):2-3, 21-22, 25, 27.
‘Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people,
give it.’
A word of encouragement in the first reading: a poignant
reminder of the basis of our faith and traditions. When Paul was asked to speak
with the people, he chose to reflect on the goodness of God. Such reflections
are often very important in moving forward in our faith.
There are times we are stuck in a rut, believing God hasn’t
answered our prayers, when Paul’s example is invaluable. Let us take the time
to write down the occasions when God’s presence has been palpable, when we have
recognised his hand in our lives. This could have been during a time of
success, the birth of a child or recovery from an illness. During a
particularly difficult period, God may have provided the necessary strength for
us to keep going. Let us remember such times and be encouraged. Our God is ever
present.
Saint Margaret of Cortona
Saint of the Day for May 16
(1247 – February 22, 1297)
Saint Margaret of Cortona’s Story
Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her
mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult
that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they
were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about
her situation. Somewhat like Saint
Augustine, she prayed for purity—but not just yet.
One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his
dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered.
This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance. She and her son returned to
Laviano, where she was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to
Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar.
In 1277, three years after her conversion, Margaret became a
Franciscan tertiary. Under the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to
order her to moderate her self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance
at Cortona. There she established a hospital and founded a congregation of
tertiary sisters. The poor and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to
the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great
charity and drew sinners to her for advice and inspiration. She was canonized
in 1728.
Reflection
Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work. It is made
easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God
rejoices over our repentance. Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to
acts of charity.
Lectio Divina: John 13:16-20
Lectio Divina
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful God,
Your Son Jesus reminds us today
that we are no greater than Your and our servant,
Jesus, our Lord and master.
Give us the love and endurance
to serve You and people
without waiting for awards or gratitude
and to accept the difficulties and contradictions
which are part of the Christian life
and which are normal for followers
of Him who bore the cross for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Your Son Jesus reminds us today
that we are no greater than Your and our servant,
Jesus, our Lord and master.
Give us the love and endurance
to serve You and people
without waiting for awards or gratitude
and to accept the difficulties and contradictions
which are part of the Christian life
and which are normal for followers
of Him who bore the cross for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - John 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any
messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed
are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have
chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food
has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives
the one who sent me."
3) Reflection
• Beginning today, every day for several weeks, except on feast
days, the Gospel of each day is taken from the long conversation of Jesus with
the disciples during the Last Supper (Jn 13 to 17). In these five chapters
which describe the farewell of Jesus, the presence of those three threads which
we had spoken before is seen. Those threads knit and compose the Gospel of
John: the word of Jesus, the word of the community and the word of the
Evangelist who writes the last redaction of the Fourth Gospel. In these
chapters, the three threads are intertwined in such a way that the whole is
presented as a unique fabric or cloth with a rare beauty and inspiration, where
it is difficult to distinguish what is from one and what is from the other, but
where everything is the Word of God for us.
• These five chapters present the conversation which Jesus had
with His friends on the evening when He was arrested and put to death. It was a
friendly conversation, which remained in the memory of the beloved disciple.
Jesus seems to want to prolong this last encounter, this moment of great
intimacy. The same thing happens today. There is conversation and more
conversation. There is the superficial conversation which uses many words and
reveals the emptiness of the person, and there is the conversation which goes
to the depth of the heart and remains in the memory. All of us, once in a while,
have these moments of friendly living together, which expand the heart and
constitute strength in moments of difficulty. They help us to trust and to
overcome fear.
• The five verses of today’s Gospel draw two conclusions from
the washing of the feet (Jn 13:1-15). They speak (a) of service as the
principal characteristic of the followers of Jesus, and (b) the identity of
Jesus as the revelation of the Father.
• John 13:16-17: The servant is not greater than his master.
Jesus has just finished washing the feet of the disciples. Peter becomes afraid
and does not want Jesus to wash his feet. “If I do not wash you, you can have
no share with Me” (Jn 13:8). It is enough to wash the feet; there is no need to
wash the rest (Jn 13:10). The symbolic value of the gesture of the washing of
the feet consists in accepting Jesus as Messiah Servant, who gives
Himself for others, and to reject a Messiah as glorious king. This gift of
self, servant of all, is the key to understanding the gesture of the washing of
the feet. To understand this is the root of the happiness of a person: “Knowing
these things, you will be blessed if you put them into practice”. But there
were some people, even among the disciples, who did not accept Jesus in this
role. They did not want to be the servants of others. They likely wanted a
glorious Messiah, king and judge, according to the official ideology. Jesus
says: “I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. but
what Scripture says must be fulfilled: He who shares My table takes advantage
of Me!” John refers to Judas, whose betrayal will be announced immediately
afterward (Jn 13:21-30).
• John 13:18-20: I tell you this now, before it happens, so that
you may believe that I AM HE. It was on the occasion of the liberation from
Egypt at the foot of Mount Sinai that God revealed His name to Moses: “I am
with you!” (Ex 3:12), “I am who I am” (Ex 3:14). “I Am” or “I AM” has sent me
to you!” (Ex 3:14). The name Yahweh (Ex 3:15) expresses the absolute certainty
of the liberating presence of God at the side of His people. In many ways and
on may occasions this same expression I Amis used by Jesus (Jn 8:24; 8:28;
8:58; Jn 6:20; 18:5.8; Mk 14:62; Lk 22:70). Jesus is the presence of the
liberating face of God in our midst.
4) Personal questions
• The servant is not greater than his master, nor any messenger
greater than the one who sent him. This is an ultimate statement of
humility. As a messenger of the Gospel in the world, do I take credit for my
abilities and gifts which come from God and claim them as my own, rather than
crediting them to God?
• Jesus knew how to live together with people who did not accept Him. Do I?
• How can I make of my life a permanent service to others?
• Jesus knew how to live together with people who did not accept Him. Do I?
• How can I make of my life a permanent service to others?
5) Concluding Prayer
I shall sing the faithful love of Yahweh for ever,
from age to age my lips shall declare Your constancy,
for You have said: love is built to last forever,
You have fixed Your constancy firm in the heavens. (Sal 89:1-2)
from age to age my lips shall declare Your constancy,
for You have said: love is built to last forever,
You have fixed Your constancy firm in the heavens. (Sal 89:1-2)
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