If You Do It
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen I say to you, no slave is greater than his master…If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says this phrase, “no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16), right after He washes His disciples’ feet. Right before this statement He says, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). If God serves others, we too should serve others. Being a great man or woman in Christianity looks dramatically different than being a great man or woman in the world. We have a wonderful example of this in the photographs of our popes (our leaders) stopping to kiss children, or to minister to the sick, and to people with disabilities.
Jesus doesn’t just want us to honor the idea of service, He wants us to serve: “…blessed are you if you do it.” If we want to be like Jesus, we must serve. At home we must serve the smallest among us. In our family we must serve the elderly. At school we must serve the lonely. At work we must serve the annoying. Service may be washing feet, but it may also be spending time with, and including someone, or having a good conversation. In prayer, think–who do we know who is: sad, lonely, weak, small, disabled, embarrassed, smelly, annoying, awkward? … Now, serve them! Blessed are you if you do it.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
