Search
-
May 8, 2021
“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15) This is powerful language from the Lord and it is very clear. In today’s world, some might say it is “direct” language, which can be an uncomfortable conversation for many. After all, as humans we don’t like to hear ultimatums or commands, even though in reality this gospel is all about choice—which is total and complete freedom yet it also places accountability on us.
As the gospels proclaim, God loves us. He created us out of Love. He redeemed us out of Love by the Blood of His Son, and then He Advocates for us in-and-through the Holy Spirit who teaches and leads us in all Truth. It is in God’s Love that we shall be conformed to Him so that we are truly His disciples—His friends. Here is where the word “if” comes into being: “You are my friends if you do what I command.” So it is our choice—do we do what He commands of us? Do we follow the (10) Commandments? Do we believe in and follow the Beatitudes? Do we understand and accept the teachings of Christ on social justice, the dignity of all human life—and do we live them by way of being a practitioner of the Faith?
Choice: noun – the act of choosing; selection. It is in this “act” that we do something: we choose to carry about the homeless and not simply walk past them at the park; that we believe life at all stages is sacred and made in the image of God; especially when choices are “inconvenient;” do we see social justice as a divisive issue or a choice that highlights equality? Do we understand and decide to move forward in carrying out God’s Will in and through our choices so that we may be His friends?
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Faith is that Jesus judges us in the sense of condemning us. Rather, our Faith teaches us that Jesus judges us in righteousness and never turns His back on us. He does not lock the gates of heaven to keep us out but rather He offers us His Love in complete and total freedom, never forcing us to choose Him but instead hoping that you and I will desire to Love Him in return, making a choice to feed the hungry, defend all human life, seeking right relationship with others in justice so that all may live today in the freedom of God’s children to, as Saint Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be so that you will set the world on fire” with His Love.
In the Eucharistic prayer over the chalice, the priest, bowing at the altar prays over the chalice with these words: “Take this, all of you and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.” This prayer ends with a declaratory statement—do this in memory of me—not just when it is convenient or easy, but do it. Also in this prayer we hear that the Blood will be poured out for “you and for many”—why not all, if God loves all? Well, His Love is given in complete and total freedom; we are not automatons doing everything in lock step but rather doing His Will by our choice—that word again—which Christ knew at the Last Supper would not be the choice or desire of all people…after all at the Last Supper Judas did not choose the Lord. Freedom brings with it a choice to be made—a choice that bears accountability on our end, “Will I choose the Lord? Will I follow His Commands…for if I do I will be called His friend?”
The choice is ours. Faith is a gift of Love, given freely and abundantly and it is up to us to come to the table and eat of the plentiful life giving Bread. If only…
