Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by GMC
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
John 13:16-20
In the foot washing scene at the Last Supper, a beautiful image of apostolic communion in Christ toward the Father is given to the Church.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
John 13:20
An apostle (apostolos) is a “messenger,” one sent out by Jesus Christ to represent him. Sender and sent are so closely united that Paul reached for an organic metaphor to express it:
He is the head of the body, the church.
Colossians 1:18; cf. Ephesians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:4-8
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
Jesus’ vision of the Church soars far beyond this earth, yet deep within its heart, into the glory of the Blessed Trinity who dwells in creation as in a temple. Apostles are sent by Christ to lead God’s children into the very heart of the Father, sender of his only-begotten Son.
Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
John 13:16-17
Jesus’ standard of greatness was demonstrated on the floor with a basin of water and a towel around his waist. His actions and words mirrored the very character of the Father: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Apostles are called to be icons of Christ, mirrors of the Father’s heart, in the Spirit of truth.
Even if one out of twelve betray him, Jesus showed by his free acceptance of the Cross that the Church is worth dying for.
I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. ’From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
John 13:18-19
Love is worth the price of betrayal. With only one disciple at the foot of the Cross, one hanged, and ten in hiding, Jesus looked beyond his scars, thorns, nails, and wounds to the Father and pleaded on behalf of the Church and world: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
When Jesus expired to the Father, he commended all of humanity to the Father: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows and Mother of the Church, pray for us.