GOSPEL POWER l MAY 12, 2022 - THURSDAY

4th Week of Easter Saints Nereus, Achilleus,  and Pancras, martyrs

Gospel: Jn 13:16-20  

Jesus said to his disciples, 16“Very truly, I tell you, servants are not  greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one  who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do  them. 18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen.  But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted  his heel against me.’ 19I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that  when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. 20Very truly, I tell  you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever  receives me receives him who sent me.” 

Betrayal always involves a desecration of trust. For trust  is normally given to those with whom we are intimate,  and in whose presence, we put down our defenses and  allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Betrayal is taking advantage of this  vulnerability. And this is one of the most common tragedies in human  relationships. Since Jesus, in the Gospel of John, is portrayed as  totally free and in control of his destiny and the unfolding of events,  we can say, in our limited way of reasoning and expression, that he  chose to experience and to begin his passion with this desecration-oftrust by a disciple and friend. With this experience, Jesus enters into  solidarity with all those who have been betrayed and who are hurting  and bitter. By embracing the tragedy, Jesus turns it into a means of  salvation, which is the source of forgiveness and healing of wounded  relationships. 

Lord Jesus, by being in solidarity with us in our experience of betrayal,  you have empowered us to grant pardon and mend our broken relationships.Amen