Gospel: John 13:16-20
Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him. Understand this, and blessed are you, if you put it into practice. I am not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen, and the Scripture has to be fulfilled which says: The one who shares my table will rise up against me. I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I am He.Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.”

Reflections
“Whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.”Jesus talks about the importance of recognizing the higher up. Jesus is under the authority of his Father in heaven. The Father sent him to take care of the disciples. Jesus obeys his Father because he knows he should respect this higher authority. He recognizes that his Father is higher than he. Why is he saying this? Are they not equal according to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity?The context can give light to these questions. At the last sup- per, when Jesus urges the disciples to serve one another by washing their feet, he is aware that one of them will disobey. He defies Jesus’ authority, consequently, also the Father’s authority. Jesus disciples’ must stoop down and serve the others. They must imitate Jesus who recognizes himself as a servant, sent by the Father. They are not exempted from work.The passage serves as a gentle reminder to the Christian communities to keep busy for others. They have not been called by God for nothing. They must maximize their purpose as churches, as gathered and sent by God. In the way they recognize the authority of Jesus and the Father. Failure to do so virtually makes them Judases.
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