John 13:16-20
Jesus by His teachings and actually leaving of these teachings presents himself as our model of living. The Beatitude – blessed are you if you do them is the reassurance that if we are his disciples and follow him we need to put in practice what Jesus himself did in his act of Washing of his disciples’ feet, straight off showing us the importance of being humble. Jesus by living his own teachings draws this challenging comparison of Master and Slave. Jesus brings out this new and unique leadership quality to be that of service on the altar of the World. But when we live a contradictory life in claiming to be Jesus’ Disciples and not follow his ways and life example. Jesus here is teaching us the importance of the fellowship table of love, brotherhood and oneness. It is not about vendetta and betrayals of friends. Are we giving the real person of Jesus, the I AM, to others, are we humble enough to accept Jesus directions for living life and imitating his actions. Are we willing to live our life like Jesus the I AM, are we willing to express our love even to the point of death. Because this is also what Jesus is telling us in these verses. If he Jesus the Lord and Author of Life suffered and died and if we claim to be his disciples, then we too must be ready to accept and face all sorts of opposition, persecution and pain. But never loose the sight of Jesus’ Resurrection, because we too share in the Joy of Resurrection.
Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of humility, service and self giving.
