May 12, 2023
Friday for di Fifth Week of Easter
Readings for Today
Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory
Saint Pancras, Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory
Listen for English
“Una na My friends if una do wetin I command una. I no dey call una slaves again, because slave no know wetin im master dey do. I don call una friends, because I don tell una everything wey I hear from My Father.” John 15:14–15
For some people, the way Jesus explain friendship fit first sound strange. He talk say we be His friends only when we do wetin He command us make we do. Imagine say you tell one of your best friends this kind thing. The person go most likely laugh and brush the talk aside as foolishness. So, na obedience true friendship always dey stand on?
E clear say to expect your friends to obey you so that dem fit gain your friendship no be foundation for any true friendship. Na only Jesus fit make obedience to His holy will the foundation of your friendship with Him. Why? Na because of the kind things wey He command you make you do.
Jesus na pure Truth. Wetin E want na love wey perfect. So, as E talk say you be Im friend only if you do wetin E command you, E dey teach us say na truth be di foundation of friendship. Na love, goodness, kindness, sacrifice wey no dey seek personal gain, and how person dey give im whole self be di foundation. And na all these truths Jesus command us to put into practice. So, di main thing wey Jesus dey tell us be say na only wetin E want dey show us di road to di friendship wey we desire to get with Am.
As for your friendship with other people, every true friendship fit only stand on wetin God want for friends. And, for that sense, you fit “command” wetin God want for your friendships. This one mean say na only truth you dey willing to build friendship on. E mean say you only dey willing to share relationship wey stand on mercy, compassion, honesty and love wey no dey seek their own gain, wey dey make sacrifice and give of themselves.
Today, reflect on how you understand friendship. Start with your friendship with God, but still think deeply about your friendship with other people. You dey love our Lord di way wey E command? And as you dey think about your friendship with other people, check whether each friendship dey follow wetin God want or not. If you fit love God and other people according to wetin true love require, then your friendship dem go bring deep fulfilment wey go last forever.
My divine Lord, You dey call me to friendship with You wey stand only on wetin pure and holy love demand. I thank You for this command to love, and I accept this invitation. Help me, Lord, make my friendship with You continue to grow deeper according to the truths of love, and help me make all my friendships stand only on the commands of this holy love. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Scripture Meditations for Easter Season
Saints for Today –
Saint Nereus and Saint Achilleus, Martyrs
Main pictures wey dey above: Jesus dey teach Im disciples, through Wikimedia Commons
