The celebration of the Friendship

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 16th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Luke 10:38-42*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 4:7-16*

*The celebration of the Friendship*

*1) The Feast of Martha is the feast of Friendship*

In 2021, on the occasion of the Feast of St Martha, Pope Francis also asked us to celebrate the feast of Lazarus and Mary on the same Day 

So it could be considered as the feast of the family of friendship. Its a celebration of the friendship 

So the feast of St Martha can also be called as the celebration of the Friendship

*2) The need of Friendship to Jesus*

Jesus was the Son of God. Yet he felt the need of the friendship with His beloved people 

When He was criticised, attacked and humiliated by the Pharisees and the other religious leaders Jesus needed to some company to face all thses challenges 

So the family at Bethany was dear to Him, because Mary, Martha and Lazarus understood the need and value of friendship with Jesus 

*3) The superficiality of the Friendship in todays context*

Internet, WhatsApp, twitter, Instagram and face book are some of the powerful means of communication and friendship

By using these means of social communication each of us have thousands of friends and we glory in it 

But what is the real value of this friendship. Are they really mean what is to have genuine Friendship

Once some one said, I have 5000 friends in social media. But the same person, when he was admitted in the hospital, only his family members were there to take care of him. So where are the friends of Social media? 

*4) Jesus is our True Friend*

What a friend we have in Jesus  

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, 

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

 

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share

These words from the famous adoration hymn tell us the depth of Jesus' Friendship with us 

*5) Who are my friends?*

The family members at Bethany were the friends of Jesus 

That speaks about, what type of person Jesus is and what is the value of Jesus' friendship 

The Russian proverb *tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are* makes it very clear about the logic of friendship

All those who are friends of Jesus and those people whose friend, Jesus is, will be able to develop a genuine friendship and grow in it 

*6) The danger of these Friends*

Apart from the genuine friends, the excessive friendship with these things will be very dangerous to our life 

The frineship with money 

The friendship with pleasure

The friendship with bad relationships 

The friendship with social media 

The friendship with wealth 

The friendship with bad company

The friendship with power and authority 

The friendship with alcohol

The friendship with drugs 

*7) Who is my Friend?*

Jesus? 

Bible? 

Good values? 

Gospel values? 

Parents? 

Relatives?

Family members? 

Neighbors? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*