Thursday, April 26, 2018

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 68 Assignment of Impossible Tasks
Mass: Ac 13:13-25; Resp Ps 89; Jn 13:16-20



Jesus embodies humble service by washing the disciples’ feet. Then the Word speaks: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. For a few reasons I am drawn to one of my favorite paragraphs in Gaudete et Exsultate, 136:

We need to open the door of our hearts to Jesus, who stands and knocks (cf. Rev 3:20). Sometimes I wonder, though, if perhaps Jesus is already inside us and knocking on the
door for us to let him escape from our stale self-centredness. In the Gospel, we see how Jesus “went through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God” (Lk 8:1). After the resurrection, when the disciples went forth in all directions, the Lord accompanied them (cf. Mk 16:20). This is what happens as the result of true encounter.

The self-centred are neither humble nor about a life of service. The self-centred neither let Jesus in their hearts nor let him out. We might ask ourselves: How is my heart today? Am I ready for true encounter?

The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. 
With Christ joy is constantly born anew.
(Evangelii Gaudium, 1)

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