Word to the Wise
Thursday, April 28, 2016 - 5th Week of Easter - Thurs
[Acts 15:7-21 and John 15:9-11]THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 THURSDAY IN THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER [Acts 15:7-21 and John 15:9-11] "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my jobs might be in you and your joy might be complete." [John] I have mentioned before that the verb "remain" is one of the important ones in the Gospel of John. It has the same sense as "abide," but neither word quite captures the idea. I think the expression we use for faithful friends comes close when we say, "Thanks for being THERE for me." THERE does not mean something geographic or even physical. It means total availability always. A true friend is always THERE even if we don't call on him or her. Jesus also assured us that we are loved by him just as he is loved by his Father. It means that we share in their love. We are also called to share their love with others. At times this can all seem a bit abstract, but if we think in terms of Jesus' THERE-ness for us as we are THERE for our own friends, I think it makes a lot of sense. An old hymn puts it well: "What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear." This can turn grief to joy. AMEN