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Today’s Meditation: A Servant Is Not Greater than the Master
Amen, amen I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena
Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25+27
J ohn 13:16-20 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (17) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (18) I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' (19) I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. (20) Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."
Meditation by Marcia Shadle-Cusic
In the reading today from Acts of the Apostles, I found myself reflecting on the "actions" of the original Apostles, who lived with and knew Jesus face to face. I thought about how difficult it might have been for these Apostles to travel across the sea to Pamphylia and to Jerusalem . What an extra ordinary effort they must have made in their desire to spread the news about Jesus.
Paul stands up in the Temple and begins to remind the congregation about their shared history. He reminds them of the many years they suffered together and triumphed together. Paul reminds them that God, who has now come in the form of man, Jesus, took care to organize them as a people by providing wise judges and outstanding Kings. Paul reminds the congregation, gathered in the Temple , about David and David's relationship with God. "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."
The Responsorial Psalm also makes reference to the importance of recognizing our shared history, knowing that God has blessed us. "My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted." What a great reminder that is through "the grace of God" that we are indeed blessed with opportunities, challenges and resources. We are reminded that our gifts are given to us to use and in using these gifts we need to remind ourselves and to humbly tell others that these gifts come from God.
Finally, the Gospel reading encourages us to Find God in other people and in life experiences . "Amen, amen I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. If we acknowledge that Jesus was sent from God to strengthen our relationship with God and to strengthen our relationships with other people we must come to appreciate all that has been recorded in scripture, especially the greatest command from God which is to Love one another as God has loved us throughout history.
Supplementary Reading
Significance
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. ~ Psalm 90:17
P eter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so during the night God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.
Sometimes we are so bent on our particular belief that the Holy Spirit must do something miraculous to change our paradigm.
I was once asked to attend a conference overseas. At the time, finances were such that the very idea was ridiculous to me. The very next day a man I had met only once before informed me of this event and asked if I would come if my expenses were covered. I was dumbfounded! The Lord had sent a messenger to change my paradigm because He knew I didn't have the faith to think of the possibility. He knew I needed help.
Do you need a paradigm shift in some area of belief? The Lord still intervenes in the lives of His people every day. Don't be surprised when God begins to change your paradigm by giving you a vision or sending you a messenger of His choosing.
EL SHADDAI Radio Program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
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