Gospel Reflection – Thursday, March 28, 2024 – John 13:1-15 – Catholic Bible

First Reading (Ex 12,1-8.11-14)

Reading from the Book of Exodus:

In those days: The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt: “This month will be the beginning of months for you; it will be the first month of the year. Speak to the entire community of the children of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth day of this month, each one must take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each house.

If the family is not large enough to eat a lamb, they will also invite the closest neighbor, according to the number of people. You must calculate the number of diners, according to the size of the lamb.

The lamb will be without blemish, a male, a year old. You may choose either a lamb or a kid: and you must keep it confined until the fourteenth day of this month. Then the entire community of Israel together will sacrifice him at dusk.

You will take some of their blood and grease the doorposts and the doorposts in the houses where they eat it. You will eat the meat that same night, roasted over the fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

This is how you should eat it: with your waist girded, sandals on your feet and staff in your hand. And you will eat in a hurry, as it is Easter, that is, the ‘Passing’ of the Lord!

And that night I will pass through the land of Egypt, and I will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and I, the Lord, will inflict punishment on all the gods of Egypt.

The blood will serve as a sign in the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass on, and the exterminating plague will not strike you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day will be a memorable feast for you in honor of the Lord, which you will celebrate for all generations, as a perpetual institution.

– Word of the Lord.

– Thank God.

Second Reading (1Cor 11,23-26)

Reading of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians:

Brothers: What I received from the Lord is what I passed on to you: On the night he was handed over, the Lord Jesus took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it and said: “This is my body that is given for you. Do this in my memory.”

In the same way, after supper, he also took the cup and said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink from it, do this in memory of me.” Every time, in fact, that you eat this bread and drink this cup, you will be proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes.

– Word of the Lord.

– Thank God.

Announcement of the Gospel (John 13:1-15)

— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.

— Glory to you, Lord.

It was before the feast of Easter. Jesus knew that his time had come to pass from this world to the Father; having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

They were having supper. The devil had already placed in the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, the purpose of betraying Jesus. Jesus, knowing that the Father had placed everything in his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God, got up from the table, took off his cloak, took a towel and tied it around his waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel with which he was girded.

It’s Simão Pedro’s turn. Peter said, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus replied: “Now you do not understand what I am doing; later you will understand.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” But Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you will have no part with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

Jesus replied: “Whoever has already bathed only needs to wash his feet, because they are already completely clean. You too are clean, but not all of you.”

Jesus knew who was going to hand him over; That’s why he said, “Ye are not all clean.”

After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus put on his cloak and sat down again. And he said to his disciples, “Do you understand what I have just done? You call me Master and Lord, and you say well, for I am. Therefore, if I, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I gave you an example, so that you should do the same thing as I did.

— Word of Salvation.

— Glory to you, Lord.

Reflecting the Word of God

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

When we open our hearts to God’s Word, we find spiritual truths that can transform our everyday lives in profound and meaningful ways. Today, we are called to reflect on the biblical passages presented to us: Exodus 12,1-8.11-14, 1 Corinthians 11,23-26 and John 13,1-15. In them we find valuable lessons about God’s grace, sacrifice, and love that are as relevant to us today as they were to Jesus’ early followers.

Now imagine yourself in ancient Egypt, as part of the enslaved people of Israel. Oppressed, you long for liberation, for a hope that seems distant. But God, in his infinite mercy, hears their cries and sends salvation through Moses. He instructs the people to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to spread the blood on the doors of their homes as a sign of protection. This is the celebration of Easter, which is the memorial of liberation.

This ancient story has powerful meaning for us today. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the people of Israel from destruction, the blood of Jesus shed on the cross freed us from the power of sin and death. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of this when talking about the Last Supper. He tells us that that night, Jesus took bread and wine, and said: “This is my body… This is my blood… Do this in memory of me.”

These words of Jesus are an invitation to enter the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection. When we participate in the Eucharist, we are invited to immerse ourselves in the reality of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. He is present in body and blood, soul and divinity, to feed us spiritually and strengthen us on our journey of faith. It is an act of unfathomable love, a demonstration of God’s grace that surpasses our human understanding.

But God’s love doesn’t stop there. In the Gospel of John, we are taken to the scene in which Jesus, at the Last Supper, washes the feet of his disciples. This may seem like a simple act, but it is full of symbolism. Jesus, the Son of God, the expected Messiah, humbles himself before his followers and performs a common service, reserved for slaves. He shows us that true love manifests itself in humble and disinterested service to others.

How often in our daily lives do we seek high positions, power and recognition? But Jesus teaches us that true greatness is in serving, in putting others above ourselves. He challenges us to follow his example, to wash each other’s feet, to give ourselves in love and mutual care. When we do this, we are true disciples of Christ, spreading his light and love throughout the world.

My brothers and sisters, these biblical passages invite us to a profound transformation in our spiritual and practical lives. We are called to celebrate Easter, to remember Jesus’ sacrifice in the Eucharist and to commit ourselves to humble service to others. They are not just empty rituals or ancient stories, but living, current truths that have the power to change the course of our lives.

Today, I invite each of you to reflect on how these lessons apply to your own life. How can we sacrifice our own wants and desires for the good of others? How can we cultivate a spirituality that leads us to greater intimacy with God? How can we put Christ’s teachings into practice in our relationships with others?

A practical way to live these principles is to seek opportunities to serve. We can start in our own families, finding ways to support and care for each other. We can extend this attitude of service beyond our inner circles, reaching those in need in our community. Maybe it’s visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the homeless or simply listening to someone who needs a shoulder to lean on.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that Jesus’ example of washing our feet also calls us to deep humility. In a world that values self-promotion and the relentless pursuit of personal success, we are challenged to adopt a different mindset. We can learn to value the virtues of service and humility, seeking the good of others before our own. We can remember that we are all equal before God and that each person deserves dignity and respect.

When we embrace these spiritual practices, we open the way for God’s grace to act in our lives. Through celebrating Easter, participating in the Eucharist and serving others, we are transformed. Our hearts are filled with love and compassion, our lives become living testimonies of the redeeming power of Christ.

My beloved ones, may this message resonate in your hearts and inspire you to live in accordance with these spiritual truths. May we be like the sacrificial lamb, whose blood protects us from evil. May we be like Jesus, who humbled himself to serve others. May our lives be marked by divine grace, love and hope.

Let us ask God to give us the strength and wisdom to live these principles in our daily lives. May he guide us and enable us to be true disciples of Christ. And that in doing so, we can be a shining light in a world that so longs for the love and peace that only God can give.

May the grace of God be in each one of you, today and always. Amen.