Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
You may have noticed that the readings since Easter have been taking us through the book of Acts, the Acts of the Apostles. Acts gives us insight into how the first Christians lived in the years after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. Today’s first reading (Acts 13: 13-25) continues the theme with Paul and his companions’ journeying and spreading the message of Jesus. Paul is addressing the Jews in the synagogue in Antioch in today’s reading; the first of several speeches to Jews, proclaiming the continuity between Judaism and Christianity, illustrating that Jesus is the savior brought by God to the people. This first reading ends with Paul quoting John the Baptist saying about Jesus who was coming after him, “I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.”
Interestingly, the gospel for today (John 13: 16-20) then takes us back to the Last Supper when Jesus has just washed his disciples feet as he is preparing to die. After this modeling of humility and service to his disciples, Jesus interprets for them with humility his connection to God, “so that when it happens you may believe that I Am.” The reading ends with, “whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” In other words, if we receive Jesus, we receive God. And if those sent by Jesus (the disciples, which include us) are received by others, then Jesus is being received by them as well.
Both readings offer lessons of humility and evangelization. Paul spoke of John the Baptist recognizing his place as preparing the way for Jesus, one greater than he. Jesus recognized his relationship to the Father, but knew this did not make him greater than the Father (although one with the Father), and not only washed the feet of his followers, but was willing to die a criminal’s death. Paul and the other disciples knew that their mission to spread the Word and heal in Jesus’ name did not make them better than those to whom they were ministering.
We are called to spread Jesus’ message as were the first disciples. And we are called to do so with humility. As Christians, I think we sometimes need the reminder that we are not God, and we are not better than those who have not received Jesus.
Let us pray for humble enthusiasm to share Jesus’ love and resurrection as did the first Christians, being mindful of the model we have been given to wash the feet of others, not have others wash ours.
Eileen Miller