Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In today’s gospel passage, Jesus says to us, “Amen, amen I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger than the one who sent him.” Jesus is speaking to us disciples, reminding us that we are not greater than he is. We should note the context in which Jesus is saying this to us. He says all of this during the Last Supper, shortly after he had washed the feet of the disciples. Thus, Jesus sets the example of humble service and reminds us also should be humble servants.
He reinforces this by how the passage ends, saying that those who receive the disciples whom he sends also receive him, and that in receiving him they also receive the one who sent him. Thus, he shows that there is a unity between himself, God his Father, and the disciples who are sent by him. The flip side of this is that if we truly want to do the work of Christ, we must strive to be like him, so that those whom we meet will sense Christ in us.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections