No Longer Slaves
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 12-17 - Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, 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 and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We have heard this passage, and similar ones, many times. John records this statement more than once at the Last Supper, and the other three Gospels all record a similar phrase from a discussion Jesus has with a scholar of the law. It is a phrase that Paul quotes, too. It seems to be a teaching that Jesus repeated many times. It certainly is central to His message. Hopefully we aren’t so used to hearing it that we forget to think about it. What Jesus is asking is a radical request.
Jesus is not asking us to love each other sentimentally–to feel good about our family and friends. He is asking us to love as He loves us. And how does Jesus love us? Jesus loves us for our own sakes–for our good, for our benefit–whether or not He benefits; whether or not we even notice; whether or not He must die doing so. Jesus is asking us to love our family and friends, and even our enemies, in a way that is best for them–regardless of any benefit to us. In prayer, consider what good work we can do for the good of each member of our family, or for our friends. Consider what prayer we can silently say for them. When we love like this, we follow God’s Commandment. And even if no one else sees, He sees–happily.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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