Jesus wants to be my friend

Reading: You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14.

Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (John 15:12-17) My focus now is not on my faith, on what I think or believe. Jesus invites me to accept what he believes about me, how he sees me to be. I am sent to bear fruit. I am trusted. I am loved.

In the stories we read in the Gospels we see Jesus interacting with all manner of people in all manner of situations, loving them, healing them, encouraging them. He embraces all the messiness of our lives and loves us, just as he loved those people he met in the Gospels. I need only to abide with Jesus to see what his love means.

“I have called you friends”. I too am called the friend of Jesus. I am highly favored; I am unique and very special. Jesus wants me to know what is most important to him, what is closest to his heart. I take time to hear Jesus address me as friend.

Jesus reminds me that it is he who has chosen me. Lord, you are inviting me, choosing me, to be your intimate friend, to go out in your name into the world in which I live, and bear lasting fruit.

Jesus chose me. He created me and he called me because he loves me. I so want to respond generously to his call. “Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous!”

Jesus chose me. He created me and he called me because he loves me. I so want to respond generously to his call. “Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous!” A sign of love is that we share everything with “the beloved”. Jesus holds nothing back from his disciples; he shares with them everything, even his most intimate secrets that were revealed to him by his Father, thereby giving them the dignity and privilege of being friends. He would even lay down his life for their well-being.

Jesus still invites us today into friendship with him – He wants to reveal even more things the Father has revealed to Him. Imagine Jesus asking you repeatedly “Would you be willing to let me be your friend” and notice your response.

The more I become aware that I am infinitely loved, the more I am able to share that reservoir of love with people who need it. I must not wait for the other person to love me, just as God does not await my love but initiates the relationship.

This is my prayer for today: Jesus my friend, in your company I can relax, be silent or talk, grumble or boast, give out and complain, or feel thankful and light-hearted. You know my heart and make allowances. I do not have to pretend.

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+