The past couple of weeks we’ve been hearing gospel passages from what’s called “the Last Supper Discourse”, which we find in the Gospel of John.
The discourse takes place after the last supper meal is done and after Jesus washes the apostles’ feet, which is the model he left us for what it means to be a servant leader—which parallels what Jesus teaches us about being a Good Shepherd.
Jesus is giving his disciples advice for how to relate to him after all the events of the Paschal Mystery unfold—from his arrest to his resurrection. He is assuring them—and each one of us—that our relationship with him continues and is never meant to end. He assures us of the ways he gives us life and hope—and that he will even ask God the Father to send another Advocate to be with us, which of course is God the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is coming!
But today we hear something that blows our minds—at least it wakens something within me—about how Jesus relates to us: He calls us friends.
A slave to any god is someone who has no freedom. It’s forced labor and a forced relationship. Jesus rejects that kind of relationship.
In our relationship with Jesus, God the son, we are friends. Friends have the freedom to stay in a relationship—not against their will, but because they choose it. And, it’s good for them. What results in a good friendship are things that make life more fulfilling—companionship, affirmation, and good conversation.
Our God befriends us—never forces, never coerces, never manipulates or plays games, but simply loves like a parent who loves their children. In Jesus’ eyes, we are friends.
New Friends—A Joint Service Opportunity This past Thursday, members of our Encore 55+ group partnered with our newly confirmed 8
th graders for a joint service project. They made 55 sack lunches here at St. Hubert School, which the Encore team then brought to Catholic Charities in Des Plaines. The Encore team served the guests a hot dinner that night and then left them with a sack lunch for the following day.
It was a St. Hubert team effort to help feed the hungry, and a real affirmation of the goodness and kindness that transcends generations and binds us in faith.
Receiving Jesus for the First Time On Saturday, 77 children received Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time. We’re very grateful to the catechists who helped get them ready for this important moment in their life and for their families who brought them to the table. As we sang on Easter, “This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad!”
Friendship with God, seeing the face of God in the hungry, and having communion with God are three powerful insights into the ways Christ is with us. As we head into the week ahead, may God continue to bless us and lead us in all we do.