Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Having a friend and being a friend is a wonderful part of living. As I read the scripture, I often wonder what it was like for the disciples to be not only followers of Jesus, but his friends and daily companions as they traveled on the way. Today’s scripture reminds me of how Jesus is the perfect friend. Despite our failings, our lack of trust, our indifference, and even sometimes our betrayals of him, Jesus loves us, forgives us, and even lets us know that when we fail, He will never turn away from us. What more could you ask for in a friend? His gift of peace and assurance of fidelity in the midst of our daily challenges is a source of hope and courage to all those who share in His friendship.
In the gospel stories we are given a glimpse of what is what like to walk with Jesus as a friend. In today’s scripture, we hear the disciples asserting their love and belief in Jesus. In great love, Jesus recognizes that although they profess their devotion to Him, He knows that this love when put to the test will in fact come apart at the seams. He knows that “each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone.” (John 16: 31) Instead of condemning them for their lack of follow through, Jesus not only forgives them, but reassures them that they are not to worry because the Father will be with Him. Instead of berating them for their betrayal, He promises them His peace. By telling them before this all transpires, He allows them to recognize just how much He loves them- even in all their imperfections. He knows that they will face many challenges in the times ahead, but He tells them, “take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33) Although the disciples may not understand what Jesus is referring to about future difficulties, I suspect that they found great solace in these words when they reflected on them following Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Jesus is a friend who loves His disciples despite their flaws, and gives them all the tools that they need to go forth as He commands. The love, peace and courage that Jesus shares with His friends become the building blocks that His disciples use to spread the Kingdom of God.
I believe that Jesus invites us to be His friends. He tells us “I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15) When I think about what it means to be a good friend, I believe this entails spending time with that person, sharing who we are with that individual, and supporting that other person in the joyful and sorrowful times of our lives. Jesus offers all of these things to us. He invites us to allow Him to be with us at all times as we walk our daily journey. He supports us through the good and the bad times, and He shares Himself completely with us. He loves us even when we ignore Him, and just like the disciples He reminds us that He knows that we will often fail at being a good friend to Him. He offers us the same encouragement telling us that His peace is there for us even when we feel like we don’t deserve it.
What does Jesus ask of us as a friend? “You are my friends, if you do what I command you. (John 15:14) “This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:17) So it is love that cements our friendship with Christ. It is His love for us, and our love of Him and others that allows our friendship to be nurtured. Jesus shows us how to be a friend to others- through love, forgiveness, encouragement and mercy. He shares these with us and tells us to go and do the same. Through prayer,(For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.- St Theresa Avila), scripture (knowing His word) and sacrament (receiving His grace and Spirit) we deepen our friendship with Him. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” And I believe that Jesus is the perfect friend! There is no other friend who has “conquered the world” and who can give us the peace beyond all understanding even though we have so little to give in return. The only thing He asks is that we give Him our love and that we love one another- and even that we can only do with the help of His Spirit. I think that Jesus is reaching out His hand offering His friendship to each of us. May we believe in Him and His love and in that friendship find the greatest source of joy and hope- eternity spent in friendship with Him.
Heavenly Father, you sent us Jesus so we could come to know you and love you. Jesus calls us His friends by sharing His love with us. Through the Holy Spirit may we know this love and share this love with the world, so all may come to know you. May our friendship with Jesus allow us to have the courage and peace to live our lives daily walking with Him, so all that we do may give you glory. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline