Morning Message: May 28

In today’s reading, we hear the message that Jesus gives to his followers.  He calls them his friends.

A reading of the holy Gospel according to John.

“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 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.”

Think about this silently in your heart.  Do you think of Jesus as your friend? What kind of friend is he?

This week’s gospel lesson is about love. Jesus tells us that of all his commandments that “loving one another” is the most important.

And isn’t that interesting? When we think of the people we love, we probably think of certain people: our families and special friends. But Jesus reminds us of something important. He doesn’t just say “pick a few important people to love.” He tells us to “love one another.” He wants us to show our love to everyone – and treat everyone with special care and kindness.

And that’s not all! He not only wants us to love one another – but to love one another in the same way that he showed his love to us. That’s a lot of love isn’t it?

So this week I’m going to give you a challenge. I want you to think carefully about the ways that you might show your love for others and see how many times you can show it. I think you’ll be surprised.

Your love for us is so great, O God!  We are connected to you through Jesus.  May we remember that Jesus chose us to be his friends.  Help us to understand what this means for our lives.  Help us to live in his example, by showing our love to others this week – and always.  We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord.   Amen.