Jesus invites us to be servants by making others’ paths smoother. Jesus states, “now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly”. Serving calls us to action. Jesus challenges us to love and serve everyone, even those who we may find difficult to love. Even in the midst of service and love, there can be pain and betrayal. Yet, Jesus teaches us to be steadfast in mission, demonstrating that true love persists despite challenges. The Gospel takes us all the way back to Holy Thursday night, when Jesus was sharing a final meal with his friends and trying to prepare them for the ordeal that was about to happen. He knew that one would betray him, another deny him, and others scatter. But Jesus does not despair, he calls them his “chosen”. In a similar way, Jesus knows our frailties. Yet, he sends us out on mission. We do not have to be perfect to be his disciples. What we need is humility, to depend upon him. What stops us from fully embracing our mission as disciples?

Abba Father, empower us to live our faith through compassionate service. Amen.