Gospel Reflection for The 15th day of May in the year of Our Lord, 2025

John 13:16-20

(When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them)

16 Amen, amen I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him. 17 If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them. 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me, shall lift up his heel against me. 19 At present I tell you, before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I am he. 20 Amen, amen I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.

Today's short passage is remarkably rich in meaning. First, we are reminded of our Lord's amazing humility. Even to consider for a moment that God would become man is amazing. That the God man would allow Himself to be tortured and killed to redeem the very men who caused His suffering is unfathomable. But now, Jesus... God, washes the feet of even the one who would betray Him!

Saint Peter's response was the only reasonable answer. He basically jumped up and yelled that he could not allow God to do such a humble act of service for him. What would we do if Jesus appeared to us? Well, we we would probably run to worship Him, fall prostrate on the ground, washing His feet with our tears, begging forgiveness as did Saint Mary Magdalene. We would long to embrace Him, but would be so awestruck that I doubt we could even speak. Now, imagine Jesus removing our shoes and washing our feet! That is the opposite of the worship due God.

Although the Bible does not give us the details of Judas' response, we may imagine that his was the opposite. We know that he did not believe in the divinity of Christ. He thought Jesus was a fraud, and probably only followed Him to steal from the monies that were held in common. If he felt entitled to their funds, did he feel entitled to be served by Jesus? Was he arrogant and prideful? He must have held our Lord in contempt to betray Him.

Whether we accept Jesus and worship Him as He commands is up to each of us. Some leave the Church He founded and choose to worship our Lord in ways that they think best. Some stay in the Catholic Church but hold beliefs that are opposed to the teaching of Jesus and His Church. Jesus never forces anyone to believe or to obey. If one believes that they know better than Jesus and His Church, that He guaranteed to be free from all error, they may. But, that is the same sin committed by Judas. We would do well to consider this, and follow the example of Saint Peter who immediately changed his mind and begged our Lord to wash his head and hands, too. Obedience to Christ must override our opinions and even natural reactions.

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Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings July-December, 2025 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5BHFZ7X

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic