The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the blessing and depth of our friendship with others.
Love against fear
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostles are persecuted.
* [5:17–42] A second action against the community is taken by the Sanhedrin in the arrest and trial of the Twelve; cf. Acts 4:1–3. The motive is the jealousy of the religious authorities over the popularity of the apostles (Acts 5:17) who are now charged with the defiance of the Sanhedrin’s previous order to them to abandon their prophetic role (Acts 5:28; cf. Acts 4:18). In this crisis the apostles are favored by a miraculous release from prison (Acts 5:18–24). (For similar incidents involving Peter and Paul, see Acts 12:6–11; 16:25–29.)1
Psalm 34 is praise for Deliverance from Trouble.
* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22).2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus explains to Nicodemus ‘For God so loved the world…’
* [3:16] Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32. * [3:17–19] Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light. * [3:19] Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now.3
Vivian Amu asserts none of us can say we have never been loved.
If anyone says to you, "no one loves you," or treats you as though you are not lovable, ask them to read about your love story in the Gospel. You have been freely and completely loved since the moment you were born. Now, even though I am a natural worrier about everything, just for today, I put aside all that preoccupies and confines my heart and mind so I may reflect on such a love----God’s unyielding, ever-present, steadfast love. Loving God, shower us with your love. Thank you for your love.4
Don Schwager quotes “The Intensity of God's Love and Our Response,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.
"The text, 'God so loved the world,' shows such an intensity of love. For great indeed and infinite is the distance between the two. The immortal, the infinite majesty without beginning or end loved those who were but dust and ashes, who were loaded with ten thousand sins but remained ungrateful even as they constantly offended him. This is who he 'loved.' For God did not give a servant, or an angel or even an archangel 'but his only begotten Son.' And yet no one would show such anxiety even for his own child as God did for his ungrateful servants..." "He laid down his life for us and poured forth his precious blood for our sake - even though there is nothing good in us - while we do not even pour out our money for our own sake and neglect him who died for us when he is naked and a stranger... We put gold necklaces on ourselves and even on our pets but neglect our Lord who goes about naked and passes from door to door... He gladly goes hungry so that you may be fed; naked so that he may provide you with the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet we will not even give up any of our own food or clothing for him... These things I say continually, and I will not cease to say them, not so much because I care for the poor but because I care for your souls." (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.2-3)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 3:16-21 comments that even the best of us can struggle with sin. Think of St. John Paul II. He made it a point to go to Confession every week. Most likely this wasn’t because he had a lot of awful things he needed to confess. It’s because he didn’t want to keep his sins hidden in the dark—even the little ones we usually overlook. He wanted to invite Jesus to shine his light on all his sins so that the darkness and gloom surrounding them could be driven away.
If John Paul II could admit his faults, then so can you. Remember, Jesus doesn’t shine his light in your heart to shame and embarrass you. He came so “that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). So let him continue to save you! Let his light offer you a chance to change! “Jesus, I don’t want to hide my sins from you or from myself. Give me the courage to face them so that I can draw closer to you.”6
Friar Jude Winkler shares that the Word cannot be imprisoned as revealed in the text from Acts. The conclusion of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus is that God gave eternal life to the world. Friar Jude reminds us that in John’s Gospel we live heaven and earth based on our choice today.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Professor Dana L. Robert who reminds us that there is more to friendship with Jesus than the blessings we receive. Knowing Jesus as a friend is a source of strength that impacts all our relationships in community and society.
But a cross-cultural perspective on Jesus as friend says a lot about the meaning of community. For friendship always goes both ways. It requires mutuality. It involves give and take. . . . Since Jesus is holding hands with the world, so to speak, then intimacy with Jesus extends far beyond personal needs. To befriend Jesus means carrying in fellowship the responsibilities of friendship that he carried. . . . In the context of worldwide community, being friends with Jesus is hard work. For when followers of Jesus walk beside him, he leads them in directions they would rather not go, into neighborhoods they would rather avoid, and to meet other friends of his they might not normally know. As the Scriptures and history show, to be a friend of Jesus means loving others just as he does.7
The gift of Jesus is Love that we may choose to extend to all the world.
References
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