Fourth Week of Easter
04th May 2023 (Thursday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 13:13-25
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
R/. I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : JOHN 13. 16-20
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: So that you may learn!
Indicative: God chose us with a purpose. It is to believe, live and make him live on through us. Life loses its meaning when we lose sight of this core purpose{alertSuccess}
1. Jesus chose us to be his messengers. He sends us on his mission. These are the first basic things to remember always: We are specially chosen by the Lord. It is not by chance or by our choice according to our likes or preferences
2. This fact of “divine choice” must make us aware of the sacredness of our vocation. It must guard us against all worldly interests and self-inclinations that mar the mark of holiness.
3. It is God’s choice, not for becoming Masters and bosses. It is to spread his message and do his mission. It is for the spread of his gospel, the good news. It is for the work of his kingdom and salvation.
4. Therefore, the spread of any evil news, the working for any petty kingdoms, based on worldly factors like caste, region, language, culture, rite, power, position, et cetera, is against our very vocation. Alas! How many indirectly betray him when we live a disloyal way of life?
5. This divine aspect must also keep us always humble. We are mere servants and messengers, and “no slave is greater than his master, and no messenger is greater than his sender”. Giftedness and competence in the discharge of our mission should never make us proud and complacent.
6. We can always take an example from Paul and Co. They never projected themselves in the forefront. They always drew people’s attention to Jesus Christ. Their preaching was very simple: instructive and constructive; informative and formative. The purpose was not merely some knowledge but a deep experience, leading to genuine repentance, faith and renewal.
Imperative: Jesus says, “If you understand and do this, blessed are you!” That is to be ever conscious of our identity and mission{alertSuccess}