It’s “back-to-school” again. How many think parents are happier than kids about that? And how many here know a student entering college? We wish them all well.
Now, here's a quick quiz. Part 1:
• What baseball teams won the last three world Series? (Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers)
• How many Olympic medals has Simone Biles won? (11 Olympic)
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t get 100%.
Now, part 2 of the quiz:
• Think of two teachers who taught you something worthwhile.
• Name two friends who helped you through a difficult time. I easily answered part 2. And I'm guessing you did too.
The point is we can forget celebrity headlines. However, we remember “heroes and heroines” who mentor us, who help us with the big questions. That is precisely what Jesus does: our way, our truth, our life, our living bread.
The Word of God carries us back to the ninth century before Jesus. Elijah is “on the run.” The king of Israel wants to kill him. So, he’s hiding, hungry and thirsty. Elijah tells God things are so bad, he wants to die.
Like Elijah, we sometimes may feel sorry for ourselves. We may have suffered a loss--perhaps unemployment, family estrangement, a death. Or an unexpected illness. Maybe we have issues we’ve been struggling with for years. But God strengthens Elijah to continue his prophetic mission in life. Yes, listen to the inner voice of God and ask God for the grace to persevere in doing good. My grace suffices for you whatever comes your way.
Paul in his letter to the Christian community at Ephesus says that the Spirit of God in the life-giving waters of baptism has branded us as adopted sons and daughters of God; yes, we belong to Jesus Christ. Hence Paul challenges us to practice virtues such as forgiveness, honesty, courage, compassion, faith and trust in God.
In the Gospel, Jesus says he is the bread of life who can transform us into new creatures. Elsewhere Jesus works a sign/a wonder: he multiplies the loaves and fish, sharing them with the hungry crowd. So, let us consider this Jesus, this God-man.
Jesus is our teacher who shows us the purpose of life, to live in a right relationship with God. He is our friend who is always with us. He's our mentor who graces us so we can become the best version of ourselves.
Above all, this living Christ invites us to be “friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” So says John 15.
Now think: what is a friend?
Genesis, chapters 2 and 3, says we were created for friendship with God and one another. Face-to-face friendship.
That's not the same as “Facebook friends.” A survey of 800 people born between 1981 and the early 2000s, the so-called millennials, gave a snapshot of an often lonely generation, despite so-called "social media."
For me, friendships include at least three ingredients. First, partnerships. Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. Paul advised early Christians that they may separate for prayer or work or evangelization or work but always come together for strength. Yes, partnerships are a healthy ingredient in marriage, at work, in the community.
Second, nurture friendships. From early Christianity, we see friends working together. Paul and Barnabas were proclaiming the “good news.” Then, Barnabas partnered with Mark, Paul partnered with Silas, and they “went through Syria and Cilicia, bringing strength to the churches.”
Obviously, try to resolve differences. Martin Luther King Jr. provided good advice: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” That's absolutely true in nurturing friendships. At home, at work, in the community.
Finally, make loyalty a priority. Be loyal even when friends are not in our company. We will become trustworthy among those who aren't even our friends.
Yes, partnerships, nurturing friendships, and loyalty are at least three ingredients of good friendships. Above all, think of Jesus as our best friend and confidant, our kindly light in prayer. Jesus calls us friends because he has told us everything he has heard from his Father. John 15. Value that relationship.
St. Clare of Assisi, whose feast day is today, gives us excellent advice on how to nurture friendships: “Loving one another with the love of Christ; let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds ..."
Our parish shows many ways. For example:
Serving the poor through our St. Vincent de Paul society
Accompanying young people through youth ministries.
Nurturing our faith through bible study, welcome retreat weekends, Lectio, K of C, CCW, liturgical roles, marriage engagement teams and many other ministries.
Perhaps our prayer might be:
Lord, help us to serve as partners in bringing “good news” to others. Help us to nurture our friendships, and with your grace to stay loyal, to help manifest Jesus Christ, "the life of the world." Amen.
