Godfriends

How many true friends do you have?

I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.  You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.  I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. - John 15:15-17

When I was young, my dad gave me a piece of advice about friendship that I never forgot.  He said we would never have many real friends.  True friendship, he said, was rare, and we would be lucky to have one really true friend in life.

I didn't want to believe it then, and I am not sure I believe it now.

I like to think the relationships I have with people I know are real and true, and I do call some friend.  But today's Gospel has me thinking of friendship on a whole other level.  How may true God friends do I have?

I would define a godfriend as someone who knows me heart, mind and soul, the way the disciples knew Jesus.  Jesus knew everything about his disciples and still he loved them, just like God. 

Maybe this is the kind of friend my dad was pining for, and I wonder if he ever found one.

My closest friend growing up was my sister, and to this day we are still able to share anything without judgment, without fear.  Siblings should be like that, I think. 

So should spouses.  If we have a true loving relationship, it is even greater than friendship.

We sometimes think that out of friendship comes love, but I think it is the other way around.  We need to have love for one another before we can call each other friend.

So, I believe the lesson from today's reading is to be a true friend, someone in whom all can put their trust, just like God.

It is not easy, I know. 

Especially if those we choose to befriend are not up to the task.

It goes both ways. 

Love is mutual or it isn't real.

So, love one another, as God loves us.  Be a godfriend.

More to come...