May 15, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15:12-17

"I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."

How is it to be friend of Jesus? Sometimes we tend to imagine that the apostles and Jesus were too formal with each other and we forget that the apostles were not just followers of Jesus, they were his friends first of all. They had been with Jesus for three years and practically lived these three long years, everyday with him. It is not hard to conceive that the way they related to each other was how we relate to our family members --- already devoid of any formalities and pretense. We can show our true colors, our true selves, our limitations, our weaknesses, our bad and not-so-good side. We can, because we know that we will still be accepted despite of ourselves. This may be how the friends of Jesus felt with one another. They were friends and family. And isn't it that when we are friends with someone, we can tell that person everything and anything. Sometimes, they do not need to say something because most of the times, we just want someone to listen to us, be our sounding board.

When Jesus spoke to his friends, I am sure, like any friend, he was excited to tell them whatever he heard from the Father. He did not withhold anything from them. Everything he heard from the Father, everything he knew about the Father, he told them, because they were his friends. I can imagine the delight in Jesus' eyes every time he excitedly tells them the good news.

As for us, we are also given the same promise, the fact that we know a lot of things about Jesus meant that he also chose to reveal these things to us because he also considers us his friends. And we should start acting like one. How we treat him should be how we treat our friends...show your true self. Come to him, approach him and tell him everything you want to tell him. Do not anymore censor what you would like to tell him. He longs for you to treat him as your friend. and not just any friend but a friend who is ready to lay down his life for you. A friend who will never leave you, who will encourage you, who will accompany you. He is a friend that you can truly keep forever, a friend forever indeed.

How would you describe your friendship with Jesus?

Are you too open with him or do you still keep secrets from him?