Friends are the best. They are a great comfort in times of trouble but so much fun when life is good. Some friends last a while, and others last a lifetime. I have had both. Friends from my younger years endured my three moves in my assignments as a priest. Others last a shorter time. However, when a need is fulfilled, the depth of friendship changes and is less intense. Or our lives get busy, and we don’t make time for each other.
You may notice as I have that friends who share the Lord Jesus and their life have an enduring quality that sees them through every difficulty. Jesus assured the disciples that they would have trouble in the world, but He had overcome the world in them. Friendships in Christ have to share more than the stuff of life. They need to pray together and support each other in difficult times. A friend in Jesus experiences all their friend goes through and knows what they need before the friend asks.
Jesus and the disciples had this kind of friendship. Jesus knew His Passion was going to challenge His disciples and their fidelity. Fear is a horrible emotion. And the disciples at the Last Supper moved from confusion to panic – ‘Jesus is serious. He is going to suffer and die.’
The LORD knew their thinking and fear, so he told them that His relationship with the Father would be enough to see Him through His sufferings. And He offered them the same strength. “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage. I have overcome the world.”
Has the world gotten in the way of any of your friendships? Do not be afraid of losing your friends. Instead, go to prayer, especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, sit around the table with the disciples at the Last Supper. Pray over the words of today’s Gospel a few times, and listen to your heart. Our Lord will give you the courage to be a good friend, even when someone else isn’t for whatever reason. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart.
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FRIENDSHIPS THAT ENDURE
Friends are the best. They are a great comfort in times of trouble but so much fun when life is good. Some friends last a while, and others last a lifetime. I have had both. Friends from my younger years endured my three moves in my assignments as a priest. Others last a shorter time. However, when a need is fulfilled, the depth of friendship changes and is less intense. Or our lives get busy, and we don’t make time for each other.
You may notice as I have that friends who share the Lord Jesus and their life have an enduring quality that sees them through every difficulty. Jesus assured the disciples that they would have trouble in the world, but He had overcome the world in them. Friendships in Christ have to share more than the stuff of life. They need to pray together and support each other in difficult times. A friend in Jesus experiences all their friend goes through and knows what they need before the friend asks.
Jesus and the disciples had this kind of friendship. Jesus knew His Passion was going to challenge His disciples and their fidelity. Fear is a horrible emotion. And the disciples at the Last Supper moved from confusion to panic – ‘Jesus is serious. He is going to suffer and die.’
The LORD knew their thinking and fear, so he told them that His relationship with the Father would be enough to see Him through His sufferings. And He offered them the same strength. “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage. I have overcome the world.”
Has the world gotten in the way of any of your friendships? Do not be afraid of losing your friends. Instead, go to prayer, especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, sit around the table with the disciples at the Last Supper. Pray over the words of today’s Gospel a few times, and listen to your heart. Our Lord will give you the courage to be a good friend, even when someone else isn’t for whatever reason. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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