It’s Not Enough To Just Know. We Must Do.

“Lost and Found” by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission. http://www.GregOlsen.com

November 20, 2022

May 12, 2022
Thursday Fourth Week of Easter

John 13:18-20

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.”

Did you ever have a time when in say, High School when you had some upper classmen you really looked up to and just wanted to be invited into their conversation? One day, they look over and wave you over and – Voila – you are at the cool kids’ table.

Today’s Gospel is kind of like that. Recently, Jesus has been talking about how he and the Father are one. We are taken back, today, to the Last Supper just as Jesus completes the washing of the feet. He then begins to share with them his wisdom once again – and we get invited to the cool kids’ table.

Jesus knows what he’s working with here – the broken men who will scatter “when they strike the shepherd”.

He does what Jesus always does – prepares them while teaching them.

He tells them not to try to elevate themselves – they are no better than others.

But most importantly, he tells us all that it is one thing to “know”. These men have learned at the very feet of Jesus. It’s just that isn’t enough – just to have knowledge.

We must also “do”.

We celebrate the Memorials for Sts. Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras who did “do” and were martyred for their beliefs.

We are lucky today. We don’t really have to be concerned here about being martyred for preaching the Gospel and yet, do we preach the Gospel? Or do we feel it’s enough just to “know”?

Today’s Gospel is clear, I think. It isn’t enough to simply know. We are called to do.

At least that’s what I heard Him say…