Today at Mass, this Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, our response to the Word of God is "Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom." (Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21)
Do I really do this, day after day, 24/7, in good times and bad, whether happy or sad? Steadfastly, gladly, with gratitude, faith and love?
Does how I live announce that I am a friend of our Lord, who told us, "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (Jn 15:14)?
Do my interactions with family and friends, co-workers and parish community, neighbors and strangers, reveal Jesus, who is gentle and humble of heart (Mt 11:29)?
Does what I say and think about all these people indicate that they are precious to God, who lovingly made each one in His image and likeness?
Does how I spend my time, energy and talents proclaim that nothing is worth more than the Kingdom of Christ, His "eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace" (Preface of Christ the King)?
And when I fail, which I do often enough, does my repentance prove that our Lord is indeed "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Ps 103:8)?
Do I really do this, day after day, 24/7, in good times and bad, whether happy or sad? Steadfastly, gladly, with gratitude, faith and love?
Does how I live announce that I am a friend of our Lord, who told us, "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (Jn 15:14)?
Do my interactions with family and friends, co-workers and parish community, neighbors and strangers, reveal Jesus, who is gentle and humble of heart (Mt 11:29)?
Does what I say and think about all these people indicate that they are precious to God, who lovingly made each one in His image and likeness?
Does how I spend my time, energy and talents proclaim that nothing is worth more than the Kingdom of Christ, His "eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace" (Preface of Christ the King)?
And when I fail, which I do often enough, does my repentance prove that our Lord is indeed "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Ps 103:8)?
Dear Jesus, thank you for being "the best and most faithful of friends" (Imitation of Christ, Bk 2, Ch 8). Today I beg you, for myself and for all of us, help us to become better friends of YOU! Amen.
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