A Non-Intimidating Friend
by Fr. David M. Knight
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Week III in Ordinary Time; St. Angela Merici
Lectionary No. 322
2Samuel 12:1-17; Psalm 51; Mark 4:35-41
"Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:41
The disciples were awestruck to see that Jesus could command the weather. It is significant that they weren’t awestruck before. “Jesus was in the stern of the boat, asleep” just like any ordinary person. When the disciples got scared, “they woke him” without qualms. They even seemed to be criticizing him: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
What does it say that his disciples were so free with Jesus? Jesus obviously did not insist on protocol. Publilius Syrus said: “Friendship either finds or makes equals.” You cannot really be friends with someone who holds himself above you.
Jesus is God, but he doesn’t. The Gospels describe the crowds “pressing in on him,” his disciples arguing with him, and John leaning against his breast at the Last Supper (Matthew 16:22; Mark 5:31; Luke 5:1; John 11:7, 12; 13:8, 25). His followers were much more free with Jesus than Catholics are with their bishops, for example.
Jesus is God the Son. But he “did not regard equality with God as something to cling to, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:6), and invites us into intimate friendship.
He is a friend who does not stand on ceremony
Friendship is interaction. Interact with Jesus and you will feel free with him.
ACTION: Ask what, for you, would make Jesus an intimate friend.
PRAYER: “Lord, be with me. Let me be with you.”
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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