Gospel reading: Jn 13:16-20
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.”
THE ONE WHO ATE MY FOOD
At the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples so that they will be “made clean.” The washing anticipates Jesus’ “taking off his outer garments” on the cross: his death is really what cleanses them.
Jesus has full knowledge of his disciples’ weaknesses and strengths. He knows who will betray him. He quotes from the Psalms: “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me” (Ps 41:10). The betrayal is rendered more acute because it is done not by an enemy but by a member of his intimate band, by one who has shared table fellowship with him.
The psalm is traditionally attributed to David, but is applied to the Messiah, David’s Son. In the light of Jesus’ quotation here, the disciples will later see it as fulfilled in Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection, when he will be revealed as “I AM” – sharing God’s name and glory. Betrayal is such a tragedy, but it is not the last word. Jesus’ victory is.
Have you ever betrayed a loved one or a friend?
What lessons did you draw from such sad event?
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SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.