Gospel JN 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
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.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
Reflection:
Jesus said to his disciples, “I have called you friends.”
I googled the word “friend’ and found the following definition:
“A person who would never intentionally hurt you, lie to you, deceive you, manipulate you, abuse you and who takes great care to be kind to you, honest with you, dependable and loyal. Someone who you trust without question because they have never given you any reason not to trust them. Someone you enjoy being around and look forward to seeing. Someone who would sacrifice them self for you.”
In all honesty, I have to say the definition gives a much more accurate picture of Jesus than it does me.
Yet, Jesus goes on to say, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.”
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder, why, with all my faults and weaknesses, Jesus would choose me as his friend?
The answer lies in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where He told St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
This power of Jesus’ grace to transform weakness became evident yesterday while I was on food deliveries along with Nathan, my thirteen year old grandson, Ella, who was celebrating her twelfth birthday and Kristen, a regular “Keeper” volunteer.
We entered the home of “Betsy,”and immediately her eight year old autistic son “Justin” started acting up. Obviously embarrassed, Betsy started to make excuses for her son. Being a single mom with several children, she was clearly overwhelmed. While trying to control Justin, Betsy said, “I’m just at the point I don’t know if I’m up to taking care of him. I don’t know what to do.”
Putting my arm around her shoulder I said, “Betsy, before Justin was born, God knew all his frailties and needs. God looked around and said to himself, ‘ Who can I send this child to? Who will love him as much as I do?’ After pondering for a moment, God decided and said, ‘I know. I’ll send Justin to Betsy. She will love him and take care of him as her own.'”
Betsy brightened and said, “Thank you so much. I really needed to hear that today.
“As we walked back to the van, I said to the children, “You see kids, it’s not just about the food. We carry food to people, but we deliver love and hope. Never doubt that God can work through you and he will give you the grace you need to help others.”
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35