Daily reflection _ servant's divine mission

SERVANT'S DIVINE MISSION
May we submit to Jesus Christ by walking in the light of His truth and love by following Him in His way of the cross.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today's oracle celebrates the Servant's divine mission of salvation, with emphasis on its universality: "I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth" (Is 49:6).
The responsorial psalm contains prayers for divine help that close with an affirmation of the longstanding relationship between the Lord and His Servant: "God, You have taught me from my youth; to this day I proclaim Your wondrous deeds" (Ps 71:17).
In today's Gospel we hear about Judas' departure to bring the guards.  Jesus realizes He is at the exact point of turning Himself entirely over to the will of His Father, and He says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him at once" (Jn 13: 31-32). Not only had Jesus turned Himself over to His passion and death for the redemption of the world, but the Father had accepted His sacrifice and in an unknowable way glorified the humanity of His Son. Wow! He has done all this because of His love for the world and His people.
May the Holy Spirit give us the grace and strength to do as Jesus did when it is our time to be tested. May we submit to Jesus Christ by walking in the light of His truth and love by following Him in His way of the cross.
Let us pray: Restore all of us more deeply to Yourself in these holy days to come, Jesus, as we remember Your work for the world's salvation. Redeem us in our time, Lord, while there is yet time for us to renew our walk with You and always that we follow Your way. Amen.
Prepare to enter the holy days ahead!