First reading Acts 13:13-25
God has raised up one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour
Paul and his friends went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem. The others carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the sabbath and took their seats. After the lessons from the Law and the Prophets had been read, the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message: ‘Brothers, if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation, please do so.’ Paul stood up, held up a hand for silence and began to speak:
‘Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! The God of our nation Israel chose our ancestors, and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt; then by divine power he led them out, and for about forty years took care of them in the wilderness. When he had destroyed seven nations in Canaan, he put them in possession of their land for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges, down to the prophet Samuel. Then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years, he deposed him and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”’
Responsorial Psalm 88(89):2-3,21,22,25,27
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
or
Alleluia!
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
I have found David my servant
and with my holy oil anointed him.
My hand shall always be with him
and my arm shall make him strong.
My truth and my love shall be with him;
by my name his might shall be exalted.
He will say to me: ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock who saves me.’
Gospel John 13:16-20
Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
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No servant is greater than his master
“In all truth I tell you, no servant is greater than his master”. What is the
message that Jesus wants to convey to us today? These words of Jesus
were taken after He washed the feet of the Twelve disciples. He, their
Master, washed their feet, so too must they do the same. Today, Jesus
invites us to follow Him as He leads us to walk the same path of loving
service. In this prayer time, let us reflect and examine if any blocks
prevent us from serving and loving like Jesus.
message that Jesus wants to convey to us today? These words of Jesus
were taken after He washed the feet of the Twelve disciples. He, their
Master, washed their feet, so too must they do the same. Today, Jesus
invites us to follow Him as He leads us to walk the same path of loving
service. In this prayer time, let us reflect and examine if any blocks
prevent us from serving and loving like Jesus.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to serve all, even those who do not
appreciate our acts of kindness or reject our gestures of love. The way
we relate to people should not be determined by how they relate to us.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet, and yet he betrayed Jesus. Even still, Jesus
responded to Judas’ betrayal with love by calling him, “Friend” (Matthew
26:50). Today, let us ask Jesus for the courage to pattern ourselves after
Jesus.
appreciate our acts of kindness or reject our gestures of love. The way
we relate to people should not be determined by how they relate to us.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet, and yet he betrayed Jesus. Even still, Jesus
responded to Judas’ betrayal with love by calling him, “Friend” (Matthew
26:50). Today, let us ask Jesus for the courage to pattern ourselves after
Jesus.
Question for reflection:
Is there anything in me that prevents me from living and loving like
Jesus?
Is there anything in me that prevents me from living and loving like
Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
