THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday in the fourth week of Easter, 2021

Acts13:13-25

Ps 89

John 13:16-20

Not greater…

Dear friends in Christ, it is something good for a servant to strive to be like his master; for an apprentice to work hard to rise to great heights; for a learner to become perfect on the job. That however does not make him greater than his master. Paul may plant, Apollos may water, it takes the grace of God for the seed to germinate and bear fruit. None of them can claim the glory, they must wait on the master to apportion the praise that is due to each. This applies to us all in the service of the Lord and the community.

Our Gospel passage of today (John 13:16-20) was an episode at the Last Supper. Jesus teaches a big lesson here. In washing the feet of the disciples, he wants them to realise that in their turn, they must be willing to accept such service, no matter how embarrassing it may seem. Not a service to the master in this sense, but a service to others. This service to others is what translates as service to the master. The master is seen even in the lowliest of the community. This is where humility comes in for the disciple. Never to see anything as demeaning in the service of the master. This humility is also about truthfulness to oneself and to ones call. A disciple of Jesus is not the master and not the Lord, he is himself first, a servant. Our elders say, ‘Even if the beard of the labourer is as long as the broom, the one who hired him is the master.” This applies clearly in the followership of Jesus. And it is the same when you are called to represent your people in politics or any group. Your election or selection does not place you above the group, it sets you aside as a representative of the people and as such their servant. But how many in our society see their political offices as that of service?

We who have been loved first by God, must learn to love; we who have been forgiven by God, must learn to forgive; we who have been served by Jesus, must learn to serve.

Our first reading (Acts 13:13-25) presents Paul and Barnabas going forth on a missionary journey in the service of the Lord and the Gospel. John Mark a cousin of Barnabas who had come with them from Jerusalem became home sick and decided to return to Jerusalem, this however did not go down well with Paul, a situation that will eventually cause disagreement and separation during the second missionary journey. Paul from now assumed the leadership of the mission, Barnabas accepted this with humility and that is clear from the fact that it was Paul who addressed the gathering in the synagogue, showing his knowledge of the history of Israel and appealing to his listeners to accept the good news.

Dear friends, we are called today as the disciples of Jesus, to put on the garb of humility, as servants of the gospel. Like Jesus said in today’s Gospel, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” Our happiness is in living out the truth of the gospel.

Let us pray: We give you thanks Lord, for the many blessings you have bestowed, grant us also true humility in your service. Amen.

+Remain blessed