THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE, ST PIUS V, POPE

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

John 13:16-20

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. "

REFLECTION

 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. "

We are very fortunate to love, especially to love when our loved ones get old and it is how we are treated and how we treat one another that allows us to serve each other in humility.

"Jesus humbled himself to serve His followers and He tells us to serve others the same. This new love renews us and makes and gathers a new people, the body of the newly married spouse of the only-begotten Son of God. May we choose to serve them and not close our hearts to them. May we choose the light and not darkness." (St Augustine)

"We have a mutual interest in one another; if one member suffers then all the members suffer with him and if one member is honoured then all the members rejoice with him. We love one another as those who belong to God, brethren of His only Son. They share with one another the love with which He leads us to the end that will bring fulfilment and true satisfaction. He loved us so that we should love one another. By loving us He bound us to one another in mutual love, and by this gentle bond united us into the body of which He is the most noble Head." (St Augustine)

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Many of us have an arsenal of love that overflows and we have room to share this love with others. When Jesus says, “Whoever receives the one I send, receives me,” He teaches us that His presence comes to us through others.

Who has come into our lives this day? A perfect stranger, a next door neighbor, a priest, spouse, children, employees or employer, someone who irritates us because of their views, or someone with a high pitched voice, a critical view on everything, demanding, clinging, etc. We are told to love all as He has loved us. To receive them with love is to receive Christ Himself.

God Bless You