It is 30th April 2015. We celebrate the memorial of St. Pius V, who chair the throne of St. Peter. He is known for standing uncompromisingly in matters of faith and discipline. He is the Pope who excommunicated Queen Elizabeth of England. He instituted the feast of Holy Rosary and entered this invocation ‘Help of Christians,’ in the Litany of Loreto. The readings are from Acts. 13:13-25 and Jn 13:16-20. The first reading talks about the leadership change, departure of John Mark and the preaching of Paul. Barnabas accepted the leadership change for the sake of God’s work. When we truly work for God, we will not be upset about who holds the position, power and influence. Preaching of Paul disturbed the Jews. The responsorial Psalm sings, “I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.” (Ps.88:2). The Gospel presents the message of Jesus after washing the feet of the Apostles. “No servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.”(Jn.13:16). A servant must not compete with his master in the service rather to complement. We are all here on earth to serve not to make ourselves popular than the one who brought us this far in our lives. There is a danger in our life of service, we may sometimes replace Jesus with our popularity, fame, and wealth. There is no need to compete with another servant too. We are all here on earth for a purpose. Each one has to accomplish the purpose and intention of God in their own lives. Happiness comes by service not by bossing. “Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (Jn.13:20). Let us avoid competing one another in the service we do for Jesus rather constantly encourage one another in serving Jesus.

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