John 13:21-33, 36-38

Isaiah 49:1-6

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.

One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,

was reclining at Jesus' side.

So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.

He leaned back against Jesus' chest and said to him,

“Master, who is it?”

Jesus answered,

“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it."

So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,

son of Simon the Iscariot.

After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.

So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.

Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,

“Buy what we need for the feast,”

or to give something to the poor.

So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said,

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,

and he will glorify him at once.

My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.

You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,

'Where I go you cannot come,' so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”

Jesus answered him,

“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,

though you will follow later.”

Peter said to him,

“Master, why can I not follow you now?

I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?

Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow

before you deny me three times.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I earnestly desire to follow your Son. Like Peter, I am willing to lay down my life for Jesus. I want to love you with all my heart and soul and give myself in service to my brothers and sisters.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Second Servant Song: The first song of the Servant of the Lord prophesies that Jesus will bring salvation and justice to the world. He will mediate a New Covenant that extends to the whole world. The second song of the Suffering Servant, proclaimed in today’s First Reading, continues many of the themes of the first song yet adds a couple of things. First, the Suffering Servant is not just chosen by God but is called by God from birth and given his name while still in his mother’s womb. The Son of God, in whom the Father is well-pleased, becomes flesh and dwells among us. His mission of justice is accomplished through the Incarnation in Mary's womb. For thirty years Jesus was hidden in Nazareth: God made Jesus a sharp-edged sword and concealed him in the shadow of his arm; God made him a polished arrow and hid him in his quiver. This was the way that the Father chose to manifest his eternal glory. Second, this way to glory passes through the humility and apparent failure of the Cross. The Servant is tempted to think that he toiled in vain and that he spent his strength for nothing. Jesus, however, did not die in vain. He trusts completely in the Lord and is rewarded for his obedience. Not only is he raised from the dead, but he merits salvation for all God’s children.

2. A Light to the Nations: God reveals the universal mission of the Servant. It is too little for the Servant to restore the tribes of Israel. His saving mission will reach to the ends of the earth. He will be a light to all the nations. We know that Jesus himself understood that his public ministry was first directed to the lost tribes of Israel and to Judah. On occasion, Jesus ministered to Gentiles during his public life. However, after his Ascension, Jesus will send out his disciples to all the nations. We, as Jesus’ disciples, share in the mission of the Suffering Servant and are called to bring his light and his salvation to the ends of the earth.

3. God is Glorified in His Son: In the Gospel, we see Judas leave the upper room to hand over Jesus to the chief priests. At this point, Jesus speaks of three glorifying actions. First, Jesus reveals that he is glorified in his passion and death. This is the glory of the Cross. His fidelity and his merciful love are worthy of praise and honor. Second, God is glorified in Jesus. Through the Cross, Jesus draws all men to himself and into the true worship of the heavenly Father. The New Covenant enables the worship of the Father in Spirit and in truth. Third, God the Father will glorify Jesus through the resurrection from the dead. God will glorify him “at once” on the third day and lift him up to heaven to be seated at his right hand in power and in glory. Jesus explains this mystery to the apostles, “his children.” He says: “I will be with you only a little while longer.” In less than twenty-four hours, he will be crucified on the Cross. Then he says: “Where I go you cannot come.” Jesus will descend to the dead to release those who awaited the opening of the gates of heaven. As well, Jesus will rise from the dead and ascend to the Father. Finally, Jesus says: “Where I am going, you will follow later.” The Apostles will follow Jesus in his ministry, in his death, and in his Resurrection. They will go out to all nations and baptize them; they will be martyred for their faith; and they will rise with Jesus to new life.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, just as you were commissioned by your Father to bring salvation and justice to the earth, so also I am commissioned and sent. My mission is a share in your mission. Help me today to be guided by your Spirit in fulfilling your Father’s will.

Living the Word of God: Each of us has a role in God’s plan. Am I familiar with God’s plan for me? How have I discerned this in prayer? What is God asking of me today?