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Gospel Reading for May 15, 2025 – John 13: 16-20
SERVICE with HUMILITY
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.”
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Imagine the Son of God washing your feet? No wonder Peter declined. In John 13: 8, Peter says, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus responds, “Unless I wash you, you will have no part with me.”
Jesus equates SERVICE with HUMILITY. It would seem that it is such a great honor and privilege to be chosen by God, but it is not something to be proud of, to brag about. When God calls us to do something, whether great or small, it has to be done with humility and responsibility. Otherwise, it cannot really be called SERVICE. We can never be greater than our master God.
Let us ponder on this hymn written by the Philippine Jesuits, PANALANGIN SA PAGIGING BUKAS-PALAD –
Panginoon, turuan mo akong
maging bukas-palad.
Turuan mo akong maglingkod sa Iyo;
Na magbigay nang ayon sa nararapat;
Na walang hinihintay mula sa Iyo.
Na makibakang di inaalintana,
mga hirap na dinaranas.
Sa tuwina’y magsumikap na hindi
humahanap ng kapalit na kaginhawaan.
At di naghihintay kundi ang aking mabatid
na ang loob Mo’y siyang sinusundan!
