+ Our readings at Mass today have to do with the
acceptance and wonder that comes when we see conversion at work, for example,
when Paul arrives in Antioch, a thriving and sophisticated Greek city – he
marches into the local synagogue and then proceeds to outline the long-awaiting
arrival on the scene of Jesus, the Messiah, Lord and Savior of not only the
people of Israel, but everyone and everything else.
The listeners there may still
be astonished that this is the very zealot Jew who was just a short while ago
persecuting those who were disciple of this same Jesus, Messiah, Lord and
Savior.
When a conversion occurs –
that is obvious by the conviction, authenticity and tone of voice that speaks
volumes about the fact that truth is being spoken here – and yes, not only I
was wrong about Jesus, but so were a lot of you, and most of the rest of the
world – up to and including to today!
Unless a person is saturated
with Life in the Spirit – that comes with being baptized and confirmed and
given the Blessed Eucharist – then later in life it is so easy to abandon any
semblance of such a wondrous life – and then these become the prime new
persecutors of those who have stayed with it since their inception at baptism.
And so today, humility is the
word, Just as Paul ends his teaching today by referring to John telling of his
unworthiness to even unfasten the sandals on Jesus’ feet – so too we are not
worthy to do the same – and we must count ourselves in the company of those who
know they are absolutely nothing in his sight – so that we can become everything
in his sight by his own free gift – emanating from the incomprehensible and
divine love pour forth from his Pierced and Wounded Sacred Heart.
In the gospel passage we see
Jesus great act of humility and service in his washing of the apostle’s feet at
the Last Supper – we too must do the same – and not become the betrayer –
because those who love and serve like Jesus did will experience unity in
Christ, unity with one another, unity based in the very heart of God! – and it
will last forever!
The favors of the Lord we will
sing forever!
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