Jesus still uses scriptures to speak to us.
At the last supper, Jesus breaks open what he means for his chosen people. These are his beloved and chosen and as Jesus addresses them, and we hear two thousand years later the exact same message.
“Whoever hears my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” (Jn 14; 21) Jesus then makes this startling statement:
“As the father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and remain in his love.” (15: 10)
We hear this challenge: Jesus does it first! Why? Jesus stands then and now as the way, the truth, and the life. In our lifetime we meet three types of friends: friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime. I think Jesus was eyeing very much “friends for a lifetime.”
Then Jesus adds his own distinction between slaves/servants because a slave does not know what his master is doing. “I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask of the father in my name he may give to you. This I command you: love one another.” ( Jn 15:15) Jesus is clear about what he wants from us.
Jesus chose his disciples then as he chooses us today. He didn’t use letters of recommendation. He didn’t make phone calls asking for a resume. Jesus knew no previous history. Those were lifted with the same incredible eyesight that Jesus sees when he chooses us. Jesus sees within, to our sacred underneath, to our “image and likeness of God.”
This is a flashback to another time: God in the garden with Adam and Eve: God is giving much the same message. Jesus hoped that our free will and good choices combined with our love and trust all would workout.
Jesus is the new model to follow. Jesus is “ I am the way the truth and the life.” If we respond, we will have life to the fullest!
Living discipleship is about choosing the things we need on which to live our everyday lives and eliminating what we don’t need ! Basic and Simple!
We create space for God; when we make room for Jesus.
Pope Saint John Paul II says it this way, “Distinguishing between the necessary and the dispensable, we are more able to be more open and more generous to our needy brothers and sisters.”
Discipleship always softens our hearts. Giving service melts a hardened heart. However, Gratitude and showing Gratitude is the best remedy for developing generosity for all God has done and does for us almost daily.
“If the only prayer we said everyday was ‘thank you’ that would be enough.” -Meister Eckhart
