In today’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples, “whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” This happened while He was washing the feet of His disciples which is an act of being inclusive; a symbol of love that is available to all.

We are also called to wash each other’s feet which enables us to welcome others as brothers and sisters. Being inclusive is essential especially in this crisis. We are also invited to imitate Jesus’ act of humility and service. In our current situation, living amidst a pandemic, we have seen or experienced it ourselves being excluded from society. Some had experienced being discriminated against after testing positive for COVID-19. We have seen people whose houses were locked by their local authorities. Aside from this, a number of people had experienced not being allowed to go back to their respective homes, for fear that they would just bring home the virus and endanger the community. Our frontliners were not exempt from this experience of discrimination.

The challenge of the Gospel today is to be inclusive, especially in this time of crisis. We are being challenged to show compassion to all people especially to the poor, the oppressed, and those who are suffering from discrimination by virtue of their state of health, color, gender and other walls we have erected for ourselves.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

Today’s Gospel

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.”

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.”