From today’s Scripture: “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.’”—Jn 13:16-17

If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. Notice that the blessing comes not from understanding, but from doing. Why is one blessed and what does blessing even mean? To be blessed is to receive favor or some gift, which Scripturally is synonymous with grace. It is to receive something truly good. But where do gifts ultimately come from, and how do we know what is good? We know them because of him who is the gift giver, God. Thus, to serve as Jesus served is to receive a blessing because in it we become like God — modeling him, being compelled by him, and expressing him to the world.

Let us pray: Lord, may we receive the blessing of service. In so doing, may your light shine in and through us to the world that you love.

Today’s author is Nathan Smith, the director of ecumenism for Glenmary and consultant for the US Catholic bishops.

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