Thursday 4th week of Easter
"Jn 13:16-20"
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them: "Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled."
"I know whom I have chosen." You, Lord, knew those you had chosen. You knew them better than they knew themselves. You taught Your Apostles and gave them example, and they learned from You, the Master. You have chosen me as well, for some definite mission in life. And it reassures me to remember that You know me very well, and You know what You made me for.
You, Lord, are like a film director who is trying to find the perfect actor for a perfect role in a particular screenplay. Film directors have to go through catalogues of actors until they find someone who fits the description of the character they need. In the end they find someone who may be, more or less, suitable for the job, though he or she is rarely perfect.
The difference between the film director looking for actors and You, Lord, is that You don't look for them - You make them! And therefore, You make each one perfect for the role that they have to do: 'You know whom You have chosen' and 'what You have chosen them for'. St John Henry Newman expressed it in his prayer: "God knows me and calls me by my name. God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. He has not created me for naught."
I too am made perfect for my role, my mission in life. And I want to do with my life exactly what You, Lord, think is best, for You know me better than I know myself. You know what I can do, Lord, and also what I can't. You, my God, will never ask me for more than I can give... but You will never ask me for less either.
My Mother, Handmaid of the Lord, intercede for me before your Son for the grace I need to fulfil my mission; to be able to say with you all the days of my life, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your word."
