Acts 13:13-25 / John 13:16-20
Eastern Mennonite College ran an unusual ad in Campus Life magazine. After describing how everyone today is striving to be "on top," the ad noted that it wasn't much different in Jesus' day. Even Jesus' closest disciples wanted to be "on top." Jesus made a dramatic statement about this attitude. He simply tied a towel around his waist and washed their feet. In other words, he dramatized in action what he had taught in words: The one who wishes to be "on top" must serve. The ad concluded, "And so if you want to be the greatest, come and learn with us." Jesus would have liked that ad.
***
What kind of sense of service do we have? "We will crawl under your car oftener and get ourselves dirtier than any of our competitors." Service station sign
***
The opening "Paul and his friends" accepted are significant. Paul has taken on the leadership. Barnabas accepted it without demur. The territory they were going to was the wildest and most dangerous ravines, mountains and dangerous bands of robbers. Mark left them and went home. A missionary life is not for everyone. Providence had different plans for him. His mother Mary, a widow, was a well-to-do disciple of Jesus: she had a big house in Jerusalem. It was an interesting place. The apostles and all the great men of the church visited here. The hall on the first floor was one of the earliest Christian churches (Acts 12.12). Paul did not like Mark going home. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark along on the next journey, Paul refused. The friendship with Barnabas broke up (15.38). Paul was sick. In spite of this, he went (Galatians 4.13). That is the life of a missionary. Paul may have picked up malaria on the coast, which broke out into fever as he came into the mountains. The very first Sabbath he was in the synagogue and spoke.
***
In his preaching, Paul presents Christ as the one who is coming which the whole Old Testament was leading to, and John the Baptist as the immediate announcer of Jesus’ appearance of that fulfillment. Jesus had told his disciples quite insistently and emphatically that neither power nor rank was to be the mark of the disciple but service: serving love. Now at the Last Supper, he showed this by his own example when he, the Lord and Master, washed the feet of his apostles. They, the servants, are no greater than their master. And his messengers are no greater than Jesus who sends them.
***
At the washing of the feet, Jesus gave us two lessons: That the disciple has to accept such service, however embarrassed he may feel, as Peter did. The disciple on his part must render this service to his fellow men. The lesson is that of humility. Humility is truthfulness. Towards our neighbours, we have to take our true position. We are not their lord and not their teacher. The washing of the feet was only a symbolic act, showing loving service. Only the man who has been loved, can love. The love of God for us, is the pattern of our love for our fellow men. Jesus does not want that in return do something for him, but for our fellow human beings. Please note: This is a beatitude (verse 17). He later adds: This service rendered is a service done to Jesus, and through him to God. This service he rendered was also done to Judas, his betrayer. He foretells the betrayal so that the faith of the apostles may not be shaken when it happens.
***
Prayer: All-powerful God, your Son Jesus, reminds us today that we are no greater than your and our servant, Jesus, our Lord and Master. Give us the love and endurance to serve you and people without waiting for awards or gratitude and to accept the difficulties and contradictions, which are part of the Christian life and which are normal for followers of him who bore the cross for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
***
Saint Pius V
Feast day April 30
Pope Pius V was from a poor Italian family and had entered the Dominican order at age 14. A teacher, a master of novices, a bishop, and finally a cardinal, he was a strict and honest man, as well as a zealous reformer. He wept when he was told in 1566 that he had been elected pope. The 18-year-long Council of Trent had ended 3 years before, and he, as Holy Father, had the task of implementing it.
The previous pope had been easy going, but Pius V made immediate changes. At first, the people complained that the atmosphere of Rome became like that of a monastery. But soon the pope’s personal character changed their minds. He ordered that the gifts given at his coronation be sent to hospitals and to those in need. The Church finances were examined, the army was reduced, and the lifestyles of the cardinals and bishops were simplified. Seminaries were established, synods were held, dioceses were organized, and parish priests were called to regular meetings. A new catechism was completed. Parish priests were made responsible for Catholic education. The Roman Missal became the sole Mass book for the Western Church (with a few minor exceptions) for four centuries.
Pius V had difficulty in international affairs. He was unable to restore England to Catholic unity. Pius V’s excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I opened new persecutions against the Catholics in England. The pope was more successful in checking the Turks, who threatened to overrun Europe. At the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, Christian forces successfully defeated the Turkish fleet. After only six years as pope, Pius V died of a painful disease of which he had never complained.
