Dear Jesus,

You called your first followers 鈥渇riends鈥� because you shared with them everything you heard from the Father. (John 15:15)

Thank you for inviting me to be your friend and to participate in the relationships of love you share with the Father and Holy Spirit. 鈥淵ou are my friends if you do what I command you,鈥� (John 15:14). Help me to remain your faithful friend by doing your will in everything I think, say and do this day. You valued special friendships with the beloved disciple John and with Martha, Mary and Lazarus, whose death caused you to weep (John 11:35).

I鈥檓 grateful for the human friendships that have blessed my life, friends who have supported me with their prayers, wisdom, laughter and tears. From the cross, your parched mouth cried for water, but your heart spoke a deeper thirst for souls (John 19:28). May I slake your thirst by remaining loyal to you. You teach us that 鈥淣o one has greater love than this, to lay down one鈥檚 life for one鈥檚 friends,鈥� (John 15:13).

What an amazing mystery of love that you, the Son of God, died out of love for me and thirst for my friendship! Inspire me to lay down my life for you and for my friends 鈥� my enemies, too, as you instruct (Matthew 5:44). Keep me always conscious, Lord, the truth enshrined in the classic Christian hymn: What a friend we have in Jesus!

鈥� Rev. Robert Kroll, S.J.