THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 13:16-20) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (Jn 13:20)

FIRST READING - Acts 13:13-25

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

From Paphos, Paul and his companions

set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.

But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.

On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.

After the reading of the law and the prophets,

the synagogue officials sent word to them,

"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation

for the people, please speak."

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,

"Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.

The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors

and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.

With uplifted arm he led them out,

and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.

When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,

he gave them their land as an inheritance

at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.

After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.

Then they asked for a king.

God gave them Saul, son of Kish,

a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;

of him he testified,

I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

he will carry out my every wish.

From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance

to all the people of Israel;

and as John was completing his course, he would say,

'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me;

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 13:16-20

From the Gospel according to John

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."

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 13:16-20)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

After washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus said: "No slave is greater than his master, nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him." And also: "Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

Today’s Word of God teaches us to live a humble life—to be charitable, to love, and to give without calculation. When someone is sent by God to proclaim His Word to others, that person must first live and practice what God teaches: namely, to let go of their ego, to surrender their own ideas, to renounce sin and all that is evil, and to preach the Word of God not only in words but also through the witness of their own life and example.

In the mission of preaching the Gospel, those sent by God must learn to accept everything—whether difficulties, successes, or failures—with a spirit of gratitude to God. Those who are sent represent God; they bring God to others and proclaim His Word. Therefore, all who accept the Gospel preached by those whom God has sent are, in fact, receiving God Himself.

And those who accept God’s Word and live according to His teachings will receive eternal life—a life of true peace and happiness, as God has promised. The peace and happiness that God gives is a deep, lasting peace of the soul—eternal peace—not the superficial or fleeting peace that the world offers.

Today, the Word of God teaches us that whoever is wise should listen to and practice God's teachings daily, allowing their souls to be transformed and to live in deeper union with God. This is how we reach the ultimate goal of human life: to live joyfully and eternally with God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

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