When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“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.
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.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (Jn 13:16-20)
In today's Gospel reflection, I was caught by the words of Christ when He says, "The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me." Christ was undoubtedly referencing Psalms 41:10, where David says, "Even my trusted friend, who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me."
Today's reading emphasizes how Christ served man and how some men who were very close to Him would ultimately turn their backs and betray Him. How painful Christ's heart must have felt when Judas, a close companion, turned from Him. But Christ understood that a more significant purpose lay ahead for us.
Still, today, people and certain groups continue to blaspheme, mock, and betray Christ. I also know that it is tough for some of us to hold back our anger toward those who "raise their heel against Him." We want to fight for our Lord and be like Peter, who tried to defend Christ in the garden with his sword. But We know this is not the true way to defend the faith. While I realize more and more each day, most of the evil and rejection of the logos are genuinely spiritual battles that can only be fought through prayer and love. Our faithful Lord desires for all mankind to share in His life, and while we are humbly serving Him, let us not forget the ones that spite Christ are the ones that need our prayers more than most.
Christ was a servant to man, so we must also remain servants to our brothers and sisters. Ask the Lord to give you, your family members, and our Church leaders the strength to pull together as a family should. Today dig deep and reflect on someone who has lost the relationship with Christ while continually praying for their return.
I want to encourage everyone to remember that serving is a blessing and a virtue demonstrated to us by Christ.
