Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection May 15, 2025

15th May 2025 (Thursday)

Psalter: Week 4

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 13:13-25

Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27 (R. 2)

R/. I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord. Or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your blood..

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: John 13:16-20

[When Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples, he said to them,] Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Thursday – 4th Week of Easter

Main Point: Human intelligence and competence may assist us and carry us ahead for a while. But they will not last long and reach us long when they are devoid of God’s grace and guidance

1. Often in life we see many capable and talented. They rise high and ride high for some time. But when they are not humble and begin to act with pride, when they are not docile to God and surrender to Him, sooner or later they will fall and fail.

2. This is all because no servant is greater than the master, and no messenger is greater than the sender. Jesus, the Master himself, makes himself a servant to all and serves others. Are we greater than our master? The problem with many disciples is they forget their real identity of being servants and behave like masters.

3. A good servant always remembers that he is a servant and messenger. His life becomes authentic when he becomes an effective channel of service and message. Jesus says, if you know these things and do them, you are blessed.

4. Paul and Co. knew these things and they did them. They tirelessly spread the message of Christ and served others. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul in his preaching gives a quick rundown of the salvation history leading to Jesus. However, it is not a mere chronological summary. It is a powerful message of God’s grace and human response and involvement.

My Practice: Many disciples of Christ would do better if they stop trying desperately to become masters in various fields. Instead, it is better that they become better servants!