John 15:15
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Jesus invites us into friendship. What a beautiful truth. And what a deep challenge to live into. To be clear I don't mean the challenge of trying to live up to any expectations we think Jesus may have of us. I'm thinking about the challenge of receiving Jesus' friendship as pure gift. Pure grace. Pure goodness. Pure, unrelenting love and acceptance.
Today, I'm thanking God for the friendship of Jesus and for the friendships of others who in a great variety of ways show me the face and heart of Jesus.
Here is John O'Donohue on friendship.
May you be blessed with good friends, And learn to be a good friend to yourself, Journeying to that place in your soul where There is love, warmth and feeling. May this change you.
May it transfigure what is negative, distant Or cold within your heart.
May you be brought into real passion, kindness, And belonging.
May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them, be there for them And receive all the challenges, truth, and light you need.
May you never be isolated but know the embrace Of your anam cara.
(Anam Cara is a phrase that refers to the Celtic concept of the "soul friend.")
Goodness and deep peace to you today.
Ruth
