Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17)
In one of Shakespeare’s greatest speeches King Henry V
rallies the English army against the numerous French. The king calls his men “brothers” so that
they will stand with him in the fight.
After they win the battle, however, Henry retreats from the metaphor. The soldiers are no longer “brothers.” In today’s gospel Jesus calls his disciples
not “brothers” but “friends.” Unlike
Henry, he will not take back that relationship.
The word “friends” may make some people think that the
relationship between Jesus and his disciples is shallow. After all, some people have thousands of “friends”
on Facebook. But assuredly that is not
Jesus’ intention here. St. Thomas Aquinas sees “friends” as “other selves” as
Aristotle defines the term. Jesus’
friends not only know all about him but also are enriched by his insights into
and affection for them.
We too share Jesus’ friendship if we obey his
commandments. As he says many times, his
commandments boil down to a sincere love for one another. Our friendship with Jesus results also in our
sharing his destiny. We become heirs of his
eternal life.
