23 May 2014
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
One of the radical proposals of Christian faith is that God wants to be our friend. No other religion would consider God and humans capable of friendship. And yet Jesus tells his followers, “I have called you friends.” What are we to do with this revelation? One temptation is to cheapen it, to say, “well, Jesus is my ‘friend,’ so I’ll do whatever I want.” But we know real friendship doesn’t work that way.
Friendship is one of life’s greatest joys, but it makes serious demands. It requires fidelity, trust, and sacrifice. St. Ignatius instructs us to speak with Christ friend-to-Friend in prayer. We can unburden ourselves to him as our Confidante. Are we deep friends with Christ? How might our relationship with Him need more nurturing?