Gospel Reading: John 15:15 (KJV)
‘Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.’
In this verse, Jesus elevates the relationship with his followers from servants to friends. He shares his knowledge and heart with us, inviting us into a deep and intimate friendship. This passage encourages us to reflect on the significance of being called friends by Jesus and the responsibilities and blessings that come with such a relationship.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the gift of friendship, especially the friendship you offer to me. Help me to be a true friend to others, reflecting your love, kindness, and compassion in all my interactions. Guide me to support and uplift my friends, just as you support and uplift me. May our friendships be rooted in your love, growing stronger with each passing day. Let me be a source of encouragement, understanding, and joy to those I hold dear. Teach me to cherish and nurture these relationships, recognizing them as precious gifts from you. Amen.
Personal Reflection
- Reflect on a friendship that has had a significant impact on your life.
- How can you be a better friend to those around you?
- What qualities do you value most in a friend?
Meditation: Prayer and Gospel
John 15:15 highlights the profound shift in our relationship with Jesus—from servants to friends. This friendship is characterized by openness, mutual understanding, and deep connection. Jesus shares his knowledge and heart with us, inviting us into a relationship built on love and trust.
Jesus calling us friends signifies a closeness that goes beyond mere duty or obligation. It is a relationship where we are known and loved for who we are. This friendship is grounded in honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect. As friends of Jesus, we are invited to share our lives with him, knowing that he cares deeply about every aspect of our existence.
Reflecting on this verse, we are encouraged to consider the friendships in our own lives. True friendship mirrors the qualities of Jesus’ friendship—selflessness, loyalty, and unconditional love. It is a relationship where we support, uplift, and encourage one another. In times of joy and sorrow, a true friend is present, offering comfort and companionship.
Jesus’ example of friendship sets a high standard for us to follow. It challenges us to be intentional in our relationships, prioritizing the well-being of our friends. This involves active listening, empathy, and acts of kindness. It means being there for our friends in times of need and celebrating their successes with genuine joy.
The friendship Jesus offers also brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Knowing that we are friends of Jesus gives us confidence and assurance. It reminds us that we are not alone, that we are valued and cherished. This friendship empowers us to extend the same love and care to others, creating a ripple effect of positivity and connection.
In practical terms, living out Jesus’ friendship involves being proactive in nurturing our relationships. This can include regular communication, spending quality time together, and offering support during challenging times. It also means being willing to forgive and seek reconciliation when conflicts arise.
Being a friend like Jesus also means being an advocate and a source of strength. It involves standing by our friends, encouraging them in their pursuits, and helping them to grow in their faith. This type of friendship fosters a sense of community and belonging, where everyone feels seen, heard, and appreciated.
As we strive to embody Jesus’ friendship, we draw inspiration from his example and his teachings. Practices like prayer, reflection on Scripture, and participation in a faith community help us stay connected to Jesus’ love and guidance. These practices remind us of the importance of friendship and encourage us to cultivate relationships that reflect Jesus’ love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Thank you for calling me your friend. Help me to be a faithful and loving friend to others. When I struggle to show kindness or patience, remind me of your example. Fill my heart with your love, and let it overflow to my friends. Guide my words and actions to reflect your friendship in every interaction. May my friendships be a testament to your love and grace. Thank you for the gift of friendship and for the friends you have placed in my life. Amen.
Scripture: Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
‘A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’
Final Blessing
May the God of love and friendship bless your relationships. May you experience the joy and strength of true friendship, and may your friendships reflect the love of Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 40 is a song of deep personal reflection attributed to King David. It tells a powerful narrative of waiting patiently for the Lord, being lifted from depths of despair, and responding with heartfelt praise [ … ]
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
It is not for us to adapt Jesus to our lives; it is for us to conform our lives to Jesus. This is a lesson of these Gospel verses. Once we have heard the call of God through Jesus, there must be no umming and ahhing, no by now secondary considerations interfering in our new relationship with Jesus. Our life should now be his. As and when it is proper, all else will follow. If it isn’t appropriate, then it won’t [ … ]
