GOSPEL, John (15: 9-17)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John
9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 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. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
The Church today proposes this Gospel, John 15, 9-17, in the celebration of the feast of St. Matthias, the one chosen to join the Apostolic College and replace Judas Iscariot. To him, as it was with the remaining Eleven Apostles, Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (vs. 14).
“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.“ (vs. 10).
It is not enough to find happiness in God, to be completely fulfilled; one must endeavour to live faithfully in communion, both with our brethren and with God.
This commandment does not inhibit our freedom, but exalts it. The faithful disciple of Jesus is fully aware of being a friend to God and is willing to give himself totally to others, as in the example given by Christ because he believes that Lord is the true pathway to happiness.
11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
Let us make sense of our life by living the joy of the risen Jesus, and communicating it to all our brethren, sometimes immersed in incredulous incomprehension.
Let us apply the factual teachings of Jesus by living the true Gospel values: Humility, Poverty of Spirit and Service, in the construction of the Kingdom of God, here, now and always.
PRAYER
I want to be a good friend, Jesus, teach me how to be a good friend to all. Help me to always smile and be generous for those most in need. Help me to know how to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Amen.