To lay down one’s life for one’s friends

At 15,22-31; Ps 56; Jn 15,12-17
24 MAY

In the kingdom of God, which is lived in the body of Christ, as the body of Christ, a special law is in force. Who is the kingdom of God is called, just as Christ Jesus did, to give his life as a ransom for many. You enter the kingdom, you take the last place and you give your life.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20,20-38).

St. Paul reminds the Romans that Jesus did not give his life for his friends, but for the wicked, sinners and enemies of his Father. Life has been given as a ransom, for the redemption of humanity. The Christian gives his life to Christ, so that Christ gives it to the Father and the Father takes it and uses it to redeem the world from its sin.

For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Rm 5,6-11).

What Jesus says of himself in the Gospel according to John, every one of his disciples must be able to say it. His faith and also his love are these: my life is of Christ, let Him be the one to make the use He wants of it in order to obtain the redemption and salvation of the many.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God (Jn 3,14-18).

Jesus calls his friends disciples. They are friends on one condition: that they do his will, what he commands. What does Jesus command? That every one of his disciples loves the other disciple up to the gift of his life. The life of the disciple is a gift for the other disciple. By giving for the other disciple, God makes of it a holocaust of redemption.

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.

Not even friendship is a feeling. As love it also is based on full obedience to every command of Christ Jesus. Jesus has asked his friends to be imitated in the gift of life and the true friend does his will. Life is given in many ways. It is not up to the individual to decide. It is up to the Holy Spirit to move and guide.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that we all discover the truth of friendship with Jesus.