Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In the last four weeks since Easter, we have been following the story of the early Church. Recent readings have emphasized the importance of the inclusion of the Gentiles. But today we hear Paul preaching in a synagogue at the invitation of local synagogue officials. How interesting! Christianity was now unambiguously open to Gentiles in the eyes of the early Church, and yet, Paul had not given up on sharing the message of the Jewish Messiah with the Jews. Moreover, Paul and companions remained comfortable in the synagogue, which had been their place of prayer for their entire lives.
Paul’s speech in today’s passage from the Acts of the Apostles is a nice, succinct summary of the salvation history known by the Jews from their Scriptures and traditions. For Paul’s hearers in the synagogue, the shock was at the end of his lecture. Could it really be possible that all of this salvation history found its culmination in Jesus? No doubt to some it seemed a preposterous suggestion – a savior who was crucified? In every way, crucifixion was a sign of defeat. Could it really now be a sign of victory?
In today’s gospel passage from John, Jesus alludes to his upcoming betrayal by Judas and death. His words demonstrate that Jesus knew what was going on; he knew the trials he was to endure, and he wanted his disciples to know that he accepted this betrayal and his death willingly. If the disciples had been expecting Jesus to lead a political coup to overthrow the oppressive Roman government, they would be sorely disappointed by the realization that their master and savior was to gain triumph by accepting death on a cross.
And this is why Jesus tried to prepare them for what was to come and to leave them an example that they might follow. Hence today’s passage comes immediately after Jesus had just washed his disciples’ feet. If he, their God and their Messiah, knelt by them in order to perform this servant-like task, how much more so would they be expected to do the same for all they would meet. This service was to be an important part of sharing the Christian message, which must always be done out of love and with due charity. The summation of all that salvation history recounted by Paul was Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This paschal mystery was a testament to God’s love for his people, exemplified in the service of the cross. As this Easter season of joy continues,
we must remind ourselves that we too are called to joyful service of the cross. We may not find ourselves preaching to strangers as did Paul and his companions, but we will no doubt encounter strangers who observe our way of life. Let us strive, then, that what they find may always be a testimony to the joy that comes from knowing Christ crucified, and Christ resurrected.
- Maria Morrow