Being Christ-like – John 15:12-17 Reflection
Being Christian results in being a close friend of Jesus, and our friendship continues to mature and blossom. Unlike other friendships, letting His spiritual mystery grow in our hearts obliges us to treat everyone as friends. Filled with selfless love (agape), our human wounds (previous emotional experiences) and weaknesses (judging, etc.) will not get in the way of being Christ-like. A fruitful sign is that we take part in “other’s” needs with the goal of them knowing what it means to love one another as friends. These moments build treasure in our hearts because we have trusted the Father’s will and thought and prayed in Jesus’s name.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
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John 15:12-17 – Scripture*
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 15:12-17 Reflection – Being Christ-like.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 15 passage.
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