Today’s Gospel reading is formed by an excerpt taken from Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper. The excerpt begins just after Jesus has washed the feet of his disciples and enjoined them to follow the example he had just set before them. Why should they follow his example? Because they are in a master-disciple relationship.

He, their superior, has humbled himself before them. Since they are not above him, they should not think themselves too grand to humble themselves too, by washing each other’s feet. That is why Jesus concludes the episode with the words: “No slave is greater than his master” (v 16).

As Jesus did not hesitate to consciously and intentionally set a good example for others to follow, we should not hesitate to imitate him either. Not only with our children, but also with our friends and neighbors. Not with ostentation or with the secret desire of making a favorable impression, but simply out of personal conviction.

German philosopher Max Scheler once wrote that there is nothing in the world that attracts a person toward good so forcibly, so immediately, and so inevitably as the spectacle of a good person doing good.

First Reading • Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.

On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.

“The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.

“With uplifted arm he led them out, and for about 40 years he put up with them in the desert. When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance at the end of about 450 years.

“After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.

“From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. “John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 89

“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.” or “Alleluia.”

Gospel • John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I Am. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.