Faith Expressed in Loving Service
(Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89; Jn 13:16-20)
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“The one who ate my bread has lifted his heal against me. I tell you this now before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe that I am he.”
The readings today invite us to be true disciples – to deepen our faith in Jesus and express that faith through loving service.
In the first reading, St. Paul provides a succinct summary of salvation history, beginning with the sojourn in Egypt, the Passover event, the desert period, the arrival in the Promised Land, the time of judges, prophets and finally kings. He focuses on David as the one king who met God’s favor and became the ancestor of Jesus, the Savior and Messiah, whose way was prepared by John the Baptist.
All this to say Jesus is the new King David, the new temple of God, the new Israel, the messiah and savior of the world in whom Paul would have us put our faith and trust.
In the gospel, we see tension between Jesus and Judas – the false disciple who could not handle the humble messiah and betrayed him. Jesus uses that hurtful action to teach his true disciples the deeper meaning of belief in the messiah – we are to wash each other’s feet. It is this action of faith expressed through love that will truly bond the true disciples with him and with the Father through him. As Jesus puts it, “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me, and receives him who sent me.”
Fr. Seiger Köder has an amazing painting of the washing of the feet boldly linking that action with the Eucharist. Basically, he is teaching us the Eucharist is not truly celebrated unless it is lived out in loving service.
One person who saw this picture was stunned by it. She saw herself as Peter, because she was struggling with another person in her organization, wanted to do something about that difficult situation but was afraid – symbolized by the two hands of Peter, one saying “yes” and one saying “no.” The next morning, she realized she had morphed overnight into being Jesus – she knew now she had to wash the feet of that person. This she did by writing her a letter communicating with love, expressing her hurt at the way this person was treating her, as a way of trying to forgive her.
The Eucharist is a deep act of faith in Jesus as the messiah, savior, Son of God and Risen Lord. We listen to his Word and receive his Body and Blood.
Having worshipped him, we are then sent out to spread the good news of God’s love in Jesus, and to wash the feet of all we meet.
Well it is the same message and understanding on how we should spread the News to people around the world. The Risen Lord will always be the Messiah, son of God and the New King David sent by his Father. Once we worshipped him and trust him by receiving the communion are faith is supposed to be deepen and strengthen with love. We should sense the love and heart warming feeling inside giving us the message. We should have consolations and joy over desolations , wipe out the demon. Yes, there is forgiveness and we should try to forgive our enemies no matter what. This is what God wants us to do and help him spread the News to people. Pretty much the rest of the readings this week is spreading the Good News about the Risen Lord. Amen Blessings !
Thanks Bishop Lavoie for the message and the interesting thoughts . Keep on going ! Spread the Good News.
When Jesus washes our feet , we wash away our sins and hurts we faced everyday. We are ready to start a new life. ..
Thanks Bishop Lavoie for the message and the interesting thoughts . Keep on going ! Spread the Good News.