Friends Know

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary visit the nature of the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Friar Jude Winkler sets the place of the reading from Acts as the Upper Room after the Resurrection as the eleven remaining apostles and Mary act to replace Judas and return the ranks of those who are especially called to serve and witness to the life, love and teaching of Jesus to twelve. Friar Jude comments that the restoration of "twelve" Apostles was very important to Acts author Luke. The twelve is the same number as the ancient tribes of Israel and the "casting of lots" is a traditional means for the Jewish High Priest to invoke the assistance of God in making decisions. The portion of the Last Supper Discourse from the Gospel of John today emphasizes that the intimate relationship with Jesus experienced by the Apostles and to which we are invited today is a one where our friendship with Jesus makes us aware of the mission to love without condition and without limit. Mathias is chosen by the Spirit to be among those, as it turns out, who are martyred as they live as friends of the master. Jesus asserts that we too have been chosen. The "why" of our lives is in the mission to which Jesus calls us whereby we bear the fruit desired by the Father.