REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY OF 4TH WEEK OF EASTER.
THEME: Issue of fidelity and disloyalty in relationship.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.
To accept the Lord’s messenger is to accept Jesus himself. The great honor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to speak for him and to act on his behalf. Are you ready to stand for Jesus at the cross of humiliation, rejection, opposition, and suffering?
“Even my trusted friend on whom I relied, who shared my table, takes advantage of me” (Ps. 41: 9). This is the particular Scriptural reference Jesus uses in today’s gospel (John 13: 16-20), in the context of His last supper discourse, to address the issue of fidelity and disloyalty in relationship. Jesus knew beforehand who it was among His disciples that will betray Him. However, instead of keeping a distance from harm’s way, He still went on to show love and affection even as Judas Iscariot was planning evil in his heart. Jesus reminded His disciples that no servant is greater than his master. As disciples, we are learners and our Master, Jesus should be our model.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF 4TH WEEK OF EASTER.
Paul with Barnabas in the first reading (Acts 13: 13-25), having begun their first missionary journey, explained to the Israelites gathered in Antioch that Jesus is the center of their history, the fulfilment of the law and prophets.
Dear friends, how would you treat those who cause you harm or grief, especially those who are close to you in some way? I know humanly speaking, such will not be treated with levity. Jesus is the center of our life, our model and as disciples, we are called to model our actions as He would.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will not encounter any “Judas” in our circle nor be a “Judas” unto any person we may encounter. May love and truth be the guide of our actions and relationships. Have a “Judas”-free day!
@Fr Francis Onwunali
FOR MORE HOMILIES CLICK >>>>>