This is my commandment, Jesus tells his disciples, that you love one another, as I have loved you. In the 15th chapter of John's gospel, Jesus also tells us we are his friends if we obey his commandments. We will see more about what that means in coming weeks before and after his ascension.
Immediately prior to this week's gospel, Jesus again uses the term "abide," which we have discussed the last two weeks discussing the "I am" sayings of the Good Shepherd, and the Vine and the Branches.
What is friendship? What do friends mean to each other, do for each other? Jesus is our best friend. He lays down his life for his friends. . "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for
one's friends."
Enjoy Oscar Wilde's poignant story of "The Happy Prince," as you consider the greatest love, and the greatest friendship, and today's gospel.
We won't have class this week so that everyone can enjoy the Mother's Day breakfast between the 8:00 and 10:00 services. I am sorry to miss it. Debi and I will be joyously celebrating the graduation of Yinghao Long Riffee, M.D., in Morgantown Sunday with her mom and sister. Alex has his priestly duties at St. James's in Richmond, and won't be able to attend. Keep every one of us, all of our class members, church - all of our friends - our enemies, too - in our hearts and prayers.
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