A Friend Forever
by Fr. David M. Knight
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Last day of Week VI in Ordinary Time
Lectionary No. 336
James 1:12-18; Psalm 94; Mark 8:14-21
"Blessed are they who persevere… When they have been proven they will receive the crown of life." James 1:12
Most friendships don’t happen overnight. We grow into them. And they test us. True friends have put up with a lot from each other.
Friendship with Jesus is no different. We disagree, don’t understand, ask him for things he doesn’t do. And sometimes we won’t do what Jesus asks us to do. But if we persevere, we grow into deep, personal friendship—with Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit.
These reflections are meant to encourage you to persevere in working to know Jesus better—by reading and reflecting on his words, responding to his challenges, making him known to others.
We sometimes don’t get to know Jesus ourselves until we invite others to “Come and see” with us.
Jesus left a warning to his Church. We close with it: “Beware of the yeast, the teaching of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:11). For Pharisees, the way of life is law observance. For Jesus, it is to assimilate him like food: “I am the bread of life... Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you” (John, chapter 6).
For Christians, “religion” is life-giving union with Christ.
He invites us to “Come and see.” If we do—and keep interacting with him—he will be our life forever.
ACTION: Make all laws love. Make love your all-embracing law.
PRAYER: “Lord, be with me. Let me be with you.”
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
Comments