Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”
Washed the disciples’ feet
1. Servant. Truly understanding service means recognizing it’s not about holding power or seeking attention. The Church isn’t a place for authority or personal elevation. Pope Francis stressed this point, reminding us priests that we’re not “masters of the house.” To serve is to do good for others and enrich their lives without expecting anything in return. Our actions should stem from genuine conviction, not from seeking advantage. When we act out of convenience, we end up waiting for recognition from others, and if it doesn’t come, we feel disappointed.
2. Put into practice. Real happiness isn’t found in what I do to others and certainly not in what I get from them, but in the sincerity and integrity with which I live my life. If I only act to benefit myself at someone else’s expense, that joy is shallow and temporary. But when I do things with real conviction and without expecting anything in return, that happiness becomes part of who I am and shapes my everyday life.
3. Against me. We also need to realize that sometimes those closest to us can hurt us or speak badly about us. There might be a coworker who knows just how to irritate you, or a family member who cut ties over an inheritance or a disagreement. Often, when people talk about you, it says more about them than it does about you. Don’t let their comments disturb your peace. Learn to know yourself even in challenging situations, and when you hear what others say, let it motivate you to remain true to yourself.
Never forget that something good is on the way.
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
