RBWords

     Multiple times in the Gospel According to John Jesus refers to himself as the one whom God has sent.  "Whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me."  Perhaps this much is easier on the level of faith.  But then Jesus says that "whoever receives the one I send receives me."  In his post-resurrection appearance to the disciples in this gospel, Jesus commissions the disciples: "As te Father has sent me, so I send you."  And he follows this with the gift of the Holy Spirit (the Johannine Pentecost!).  

     In the history of theological reflection on this statement there have been both broad and narrow interpretations of Jesus' commission.  Some have interpreted it as referring only to those who have been ordained to Holy Orders.  Others have interpreted it as applying to all Christians.  The complicating factor in this is a very human one - the exercise of leadership and power in the community.  Those who favor a more monarchical expression of Jesus' commission would restrict the role of the "unordained."  Those who favor a universal interpretation would give the same power to all who are baptized.  The Protestant Reformation is an example of what happens when the two interpretations come to conflict.

     For the Catholic Church, the healthy interpretation is a "both/and" matter.  The priesthood of the baptized is a real one and all of us who are baptized are commissioned to spread the Good News and to join with the ordained priest in offering worship to God.  The ordination of some members of the community is a reminder that we are responsible to Christ as true head of the Church.  The recognition of the pope as the "vicar of Christ" is at the center of this.  All power in the Church comes from Christ and whether it is the Pope or bishop or priest or deacon or choir director or usher or any other minister, the exercise of this power must reflect the one who has "sent" them.  The words of Jesus in today's gospel occurred when he washed the feet of the disciples.  All those in ministry today should remember that context.  AMEN