HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF 4TH WEEK OF EASTER. (1)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF 4TH WEEK OF EASTER.

THEME: I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.

BY: FR. DEOTATIOUS CHIKONTWE SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 13:13-25
Ps 88:2-3,21,22,25,27
John 13:16-20

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE

*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
Today’s first reading gives us an insight into a Jewish liturgy of the word. Paul and his companions go to a synagogue on the Sabbath day and take their seats. A reading from the Law, the first five books of the Jewish Bible, was proclaimed, followed by a reading from one of the prophets. Then the presider of the liturgy invites Paul to preach from the readings. Our own liturgy of the word has its roots in the Jewish liturgy of the time of Jesus and Paul. In the course of his preaching, Paul makes reference to John the Baptist and quotes him as saying regarding Jesus, ‘I am not fit to undo his sandals’. We find John the Baptist saying the same in the gospels.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
saying of Jesus in today’s gospel reading, ‘No servant is greater than his master’ is found in more than one setting in the gospel and it’s setting determines its meaning. In our gospel reading, Jesus said those words just after he washed the feet of his disciples. He was saying to his disciples, that if he, the master, washed their feet, they must wash each other’s feet’. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples so as to send them out to love others as he has loved them. That is the essence of our baptismal calling. Jesus exercised his Lordship in humble, loving, service, and we, his servants, are to take him as the pattern of our living.

*CONCLUSION*
In today’s liturgical readings, Jesus is the Sent One, the one sent by God the Father to bring God’s love to the world. However, as disciples of Jesus we are all ‘sent ones’, sent by him to bring the love we have received from him to others. Whenever we seek to be true to that identity, we become the Lord’s ambassadors. He identifies with us in a very personal way, such that those who welcome us welcome him. It is a sobering thought that the Lord wants each one of us to be his personal presence to others. In receiving the Lord’s love into our lives and sharing it with others, we become the Lord’s presence to others. There is no higher calling than this.
The Lord be with You!

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