22 April 2027 · Latin Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malankara Rite · Syro-Malabar Rite · മലയാളം
“Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” John 13:20
Paul and his companions sail from Cyprus to the mainland of Asia Minor, and Luke slips in a small, painful detail: “John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem.” Young John Mark turned back. We are not told why: fear of the hard road over the Taurus mountains, homesickness, or disagreement. Later this desertion would cause a sharp quarrel between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37–39). But the story does not end there. Years afterwards Paul would write from prison: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). And the Church remembers this same Mark as the writer of the Gospel that bears his name. The one who turned back was given a second chance, and he became a pillar. God does not throw away those who fail.
At Antioch in Pisidia, high on the plateau, Paul and Barnabas go to the synagogue on the sabbath. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the officials invite them to speak: “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” Paul stands up and begins with deep respect: “You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen.” His sermon is a loving retelling of Israel's history: God “chose our ancestors,” brought them out of Egypt “with uplifted arm,” “put up with them in the wilderness” for forty years, gave them the land, the judges, and the kings. Then David, “a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.” And from David's line, as God promised, comes the Savior, Jesus. Paul's first preaching is not a rejection of Israel's story but a proclamation of its fulfilment. The Psalm sings the same faithfulness: “I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever,” and recalls God's oath to David: “I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him.”
Paul ends this part of his speech with John the Baptist, who said: “I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.” The greatest of the prophets knew he was only a servant. The Gospel takes us back to the Last Supper, just after Jesus has knelt and washed the feet of his disciples. He says: “Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.” If the Lord washed feet, his apostles must do the same. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” Even the shadow of betrayal is present: Jesus quotes the Psalm, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me,” so that when it happens the disciples may not lose faith but believe that “I am he.” And then a promise that gives the humblest messenger great dignity: “whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” The servant is small, but the One who sends him is God.
Theme: “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me.”
The one who turned back and was restored, God's faithfulness to Israel, and the dignity of humble service.
“I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1
“Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised;” Acts 13:23
Apply: Write down three promises God has kept in your life and thank him for them tonight.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
“Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.” John 13:16
Apply: Do one lowly task this week that you usually leave to others.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,” Isaiah 52:7
“Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” John 13:20
Apply: Welcome the next priest, catechist or Church visitor to your home as Christ himself.
God keeps faith with Israel and fulfils his promises in Jesus, son of David.
He gives second chances to those who turn back, and he is present in his humble messengers.
Take-home resolution: Give someone a second chance this week, as Paul did with Mark.
Dear friends, in today's first reading there is one small, sad sentence: John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). John Mark turned back from the mission. Perhaps he was afraid. Perhaps he was homesick. We do not know.
But we know the end of the story. Years later, Paul, who had been angry with him, wrote: get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). And the Church remembers him as St Mark, the writer of a Gospel. God does not throw away those who fail. If you have turned back from something, he is calling you again.
Then Paul preaches in the synagogue. He begins with respect: you Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. He tells the story of God's faithfulness: Egypt, the desert, the land, the judges, King David. And from David's family, God has brought a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Our God keeps his promises.
Paul remembers John the Baptist, who said: I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet (Acts 13:25). The greatest prophet knew he was a servant.
In the Gospel Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. He says: servants are not greater than their master (John 13:16). If the Lord kneels, we must kneel too. And he gives his messengers a great dignity: whoever receives one whom I send receives me.
Let us ask today for humble hearts, ready to serve, and for the grace never to give up on anyone, not even on ourselves. Alleluia. Amen.
Children, John Mark got scared and went home in the middle of a journey with Paul. But later he came back, and he even wrote one of the four Gospels!
If we make a mistake, Jesus gives us another chance. Let us say: Jesus, help me to try again!
Lord Jesus, Servant and Master, you knelt to wash the feet of your disciples and you sent them out as the Father sent you. Make us humble servants, glad to do the lowly tasks of love. Thank you for your faithfulness through all generations, from Abraham and David to this very day. When we turn back like John Mark, call us again and make us useful in your service. Teach us to receive in your messengers your own presence, and in you the Father who sent you. You live and reign for ever and ever. Alleluia. Amen.