Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20
Throughout his ministry Jesus always insisted on being sent by the Father and made clear that the work He was accomplishing was no more than what His Father asked Him to do. Though consubstantial with the Father, Jesus humbled Himself and took the rank of a servant. He gives us the example to follow: He washes the feet of His disciples, feeds the poor, heals the sick, and brings consolation to the afflicted.
Image of the Invisible God, as Saint Paul teaches us, Jesus Christ wants us to reflect His image. His disciples should be light of the world and salt of the earth. After washing His disciples’ feet, He commands them to do likewise. This way, the same will be true for them as He says, whoever receives you, receives me and not only me but the one who sent me.
Christ tells us the bold truth of our faith: that we can do nothing without Him. Saint Augustine says, “The Lord does not say we can do little, but nothing.” This is a confirmation of the truth that our call to discipleship and our response are all a gift from God who is the beginning and the end of everything. Christ says, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that you fruit should remain” (John 15:16). So as we go and live, we do not preach ourselves but Christ who sent us. Saint Paul says, “When I came among you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with the knowledge of human wisdom. Fearful and trembling, I came to bring the truth about Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead for our sake.”
Today we are invited to reflect on the purpose of the call we have heard from the Lord. As disciples we are meant to be the reflection of Jesus Christ who chose us and called us to discipleship. As we meditate on the mission we have been given in the world, let us seek for the ways to make Christ present to others and to the world through our lives. We are true servants of the Lord and His people when our life is light to others, a light along their way. This does not require much from us; it is a call to be just ourselves with our shortcomings and weakness, not someone else, confident that the Lord who chose us will transform them into strength for the fulfillment of His mission. For He said, “My grace is enough for you.”
Let us continue to pray for one another, for our parish family and for the world.
Fr. Emery