Friday, May 23, 2003
5th Week of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 15:22-31
Gospel: Jn 15:12-17 (Listen to MP3 - Promise of the Spirit)

Jesus said to his disciples, "This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are my friends if you do what I command you.

"I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.

"You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

"This is my command, that you love one another."

Commentary

Of the great men of the Old Testament, only Abraham was called a "friend of God." Moses, Joshua, and David were called "servants" or "slaves of Yahweh." The followers of Jesus are never called "servants" in John's Gospel. They are disciples, people whose relationship with Jesus was a learning process. They were not simply informed but formed as they listened to secrets of the Father's heart revealed by the Son. When they had heard it all, they were conferred with a new status, that of being "friends," intimate associates of Jesus. What have they done to deserve this? None. Jesus asked only one thing-that they remain friends to one another like they were friends to him: "There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends... love one another."

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