It is a common saying that we cannot choose our relatives, but we can choose our friends. Friends are very important in life. The friends we choose may influence our life choices in some ways. If we are less self-aware, they may even dictate the way we structure our lives. Friendship can be very supportive and brings with it the connections and new opportunities we may need to progress in life. That is why we are often afraid of losing good friends. They become part of our way of life.
The Gospel of today paints a similar picture. The Jews were afraid of falling out of favor with the Romans. The Sanhedrin, made up of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, feared that people following Jesus in large numbers as a result of his miracles (especially the raising of Lazarus from the grave) may result in their losing their friendship with the Romans. They preferred compromising collaboration with the Roman government, rather than a reconsideration of their attachment to it. They were ready to eliminate anyone (including Jesus) that got in their way or hindered the smooth running of this relationship.
One could infer from the text their reason was, in part, due to the political and social powers, wealth and prestige such relation would bring. Friendship with Rome was friendship with the political power in charge. They were preoccupied with preserving their comfort and authority that it was difficult for them to do a little contemplation to consider whether Jesus was right or wrong, or whether what they planned to do was the right course to follow.
One of my favourite passages in the New Testament is the place where Jesus refers to us as his friends because he has made known to us everything he learnt from the father (John 15:15). Jesus is a friend that cares much about our relationship with God. He died to restore it and he lives in our midst to nurture this relationship.
The Lenten season helps us to reflect on our lives and our relationships, with the goal of strengthening our relationship with God, which is supposed to be the foundation of all our relationships. We fast to affirm that one day we shall leave all we possess behind. We pray to state our dependence on God and strengthen our filial relationship with him. We give alms to acknowledge that we are not the original owners of what we have and to thank God for his generosity.
Today, I ask myself this fundamental question: What am I afraid of losing the most? Is it friendship with God or the esteem of others? When we realise that in this coming Holy Week, Jesus is going to sacrifice his life to restore us to friendship with God, then we would not be afraid of losing anyone for the sake of our relationship with God. Jesus is calling us this coming Holy Week to vigorous introspection. Let us open up to him. He wants to give us the grace to foster the life of God in us and in our friends.
Nice one Fr. I have learnt something vital to boost my spiritual life. Thanks for this wonderful piece.
Thank you Fr. for the reflection. Relationship with God is truly the ultimate.