The Archbishop has requested that we ring the bell every day at noon and say this Angelus prayer together

Angelus

God Bless the world
Give it wisdom at this time
Grant us relief and release
Be with those who are ill
And bless the carers fighting this pandemic

For Jesus Christ sake.
Amen

Collect 

Good Shepherd, you are the gate that secures the sheepfold: grant that all who hear your voice may know you call us each by name, and follow where you lead; for you live and reign in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Eucharist Readings:

Acts 13:13-25                      Psalm 89:1-2,19-27                       John 13:16-20

Jesus knew all this was given into His hands. He knew his hour of humiliation was near and he knew exactly who was going to betray him, but He also knew that His hour of glory was near. He washed his disciple’s feet and that moment when he might have had supreme pride, he had supreme humility. The Royalty of service. He knew He was Lord of all, yet he washed his disciple’s feet. Jesus also knew that He was to be betrayed and this knowledge might so easily have turned him to bitterness and hatred, but it made his heart run out in greater love than ever. The astounding thing was that the more people hurt him, the more Jesus loved them. It is so easy and so natural to resent wrong and to grow bitter under insult and injury; but Jesus met the greatest injury and the supreme disloyalty, with the greatest humility and the supreme love. 

This reminded me of two things when I read this gospel reading and therefore I would not so much focus on the betrayal of Jesus but on His servanthood. Not so long ago we commemorated Maundy Thursday and although we could not physically be in church and partake in the ritual of the washing of feet, Jesus gave us the opportunity to wash the feet of our family members, and through that, we could restore family relationships – like Jesus said; ‘Go and do likewise’, but also during this time we had the opportunity to wash each other’s feet in different ways, by being there for one another, looking and caring for one another. Following the example of Jesus and his humility and to share the love of God with each other despite our injuries, despite our hurt, despite our shortcomings, despite our anxieties, our hurt or pain.

In (Verse 16) “in very truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than the one who sent him.” This reminded me of the following, as clergy, we have the jargon, we come from ‘different schools’, for example, old school, high church, low church, etc. As well as the rectors, our mentors, and it reminded me of the person that I learned from, also from the ‘old school’, with a touch and sense of unorthodoxy, a person who affirmed me in my ministry. Allowing me the freedom to find myself and my own style, because he always said that I am not creating a copy. The one thing that this person taught me was to at least once a week, go through your priestly charge so that you can remember why you are doing this. It is a privilege and not a right to be in the ministry. Like Aaron you will bear the names of your people on your breast .., like Moses, you will gladly receive counsel and share the burden of leadership with others…but most importantly you will not depend on your own strength, but on the Holy Spirit of God, and His grace given in word and sacrament. Not only did this person affirm and teach me 80-90 % of what I have learned in my ministry but he also shared with me – the importance to always be humble, to reflect, to always be discerning and know that in everything we do, we do it in the wisdom of God. We can do nothing without God. 

Maybe, as you read this, you can also recall a person in your life who made such a contribution to your life. But you see my friends we need to pay this forward, like Jesus taught his disciples to proclaim the word of God when he is not around,  the way Jesus is teaching us about servanthood, perhaps this is what God wants us to do this morning, share what we have been taught. Great theologians and authors have also had their mentors; for example, Henri Nouwen, his mentor was Thomas Merton. We also have our mentor in Jesus Christ, to follow his example, and to lead as he would want us to lead, to know that everything we do is a privilege and not a right. 

Brother/Sister, let me be your servant,

Let me be as Christ to you. 

Pray that I may have the grace

To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey,

We are brothers /sisters on the road.

We are here to help each other 

Walk the mile and bear the load.