John 15: 9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved 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 do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Remain in God’s Friendship
This Gospel clearly states Jesus’s relationship to us and his hopes for us. Jesus loves us, takes joy in us, and considers us friends. Jesus communicates transparently and reminds us that he initiated this friendship. Jesus wants us, as his friends, to be joyful, to flourish, to have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). God, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of the universe, the source of all, is quite the friend, our friend! God calls us to the type of loving friendship Jesus models for us. We are to extend this friendship to others, called to lead with love in our interactions with God’s people. Jesus exhorts us to remain in God’s love by loving one another, by allowing God to work through and with us. It is this divine everlasting love inspired by God’s friendship that will produce good fruit that endures.
—Carl Caceres, SJ, is a Midwest Province Jesuit working on a doctoral degree in higher education at Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
We pray to You, O Lord
Jesus, our friend,
We come before you
Grateful for your love,
Friendship, and commitment to us
Thank you for choosing us and for showing us the Way, your Way
Of a Love that gives and does not count the cost
Help us to keep your commandments and remain in your love
By loving others, the way You love us
Completely, unconditionally, and at your initiative
Inspire us, your friends, to love boldly, as you did
Amen
—Carl Caceres, SJ
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.