RBWords

     There is an old expression:  "Don't shoot the messenger!"  This is meant to protect the poor messenger who brings bad or sad news that can cause a violent reaction.  The messenger should be held blameless, especially if the content of the message is unknown to him or her!  But what if the messenger IS the message? 

 

     Jesus begins the statement quoted above with the words, "Amen, amen, I say to you....."  We know in the Gospel of John that a revelation is taking place when those words are said!  Jesus has just washed the feet of the disciples and has challenged them [and now us] to do the same.  In following his example we personify him, and when we personify him we personify the One who sent him.  Thus, we do not just bring a "message" the content of which is unknown to us!  We become the message!  Are we willing to "wash the feet" of all who come to us for hope?  Pope Francis gave us a good example of that on Holy Thursday!

 

     Through Baptism, like it or not, we become the message!  An old poster I once saw asked the question, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"  What kind of messenger/message are we?  Does anyone learn anything about Jesus Christ from meeting us?  Those are sobering questions, but the message is nothing less than eternal life.  Is our life worth that?  AMEN