Friends are the best. They are a great comfort in times of trouble but so much fun when life is good. Some friends last a while, and others last a lifetime. I have had both. Friends from my younger years endured my three moves in my assignments as a priest. Others last a shorter time. However, when a need is fulfilled, the depth of friendship changes and is less intense. Or our lives get busy, and we don’t make time for each other.
You may notice as I have that friends who share the Lord Jesus and their life have an enduring quality that sees them through every difficulty. Jesus assured the disciples that they would have trouble in the world, but He had overcome the world in them. Friendships in Christ have to share more than the stuff of life. They need to pray together and support each other in difficult times. A friend in Jesus experiences all their friend goes through and knows what they need before the friend asks.
Jesus and the disciples had this kind of friendship. Jesus knew His Passion was going to challenge His disciples and their fidelity. Fear is a horrible emotion. And the disciples at the Last Supper moved from confusion to panic – ‘Jesus is serious. He is going to suffer and die.’
The LORD knew their thinking and fear, so he told them that His relationship with the Father would be enough to see Him through His sufferings. And He offered them the same strength. “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage. I have overcome the world.”
Has the world gotten in the way of any of your friendships? Do not be afraid of losing your friends. Instead, go to prayer, especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, sit around the table with the disciples at the Last Supper. Pray over the words of today’s Gospel a few times, and listen to your heart. Our Lord will give you the courage to be a good friend, even when someone else isn’t for whatever reason. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart.
May 12, 2026, John 16:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051226.cfm “Grief Has Filled Your Hearts.” Sometimes out of the blue, we bring to mind a moment when we lost
May 11, 2026, John 15:26-16:4ahttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051126.cfm No More Waiting Anyone who has undergone a shoulder or knee replacement understands that it doesn’toccur instantly. Often, doctors explore
Mother’s Day May 5, 2026, John 15:12-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050826.cfm Choosing to Love Every Wednesday, our Holy Father, Pope Leo, has a general audience in Rome. Recently,
May 9, 2026, John 15:18-21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050926 Opposition I recall hearing a candidate in a local documentary state that the Catholic Church is very close-minded on
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday 7th Week in Easter 5-30 -2022
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053022.cfm
FRIENDSHIPS THAT ENDURE
Friends are the best. They are a great comfort in times of trouble but so much fun when life is good. Some friends last a while, and others last a lifetime. I have had both. Friends from my younger years endured my three moves in my assignments as a priest. Others last a shorter time. However, when a need is fulfilled, the depth of friendship changes and is less intense. Or our lives get busy, and we don’t make time for each other.
You may notice as I have that friends who share the Lord Jesus and their life have an enduring quality that sees them through every difficulty. Jesus assured the disciples that they would have trouble in the world, but He had overcome the world in them. Friendships in Christ have to share more than the stuff of life. They need to pray together and support each other in difficult times. A friend in Jesus experiences all their friend goes through and knows what they need before the friend asks.
Jesus and the disciples had this kind of friendship. Jesus knew His Passion was going to challenge His disciples and their fidelity. Fear is a horrible emotion. And the disciples at the Last Supper moved from confusion to panic – ‘Jesus is serious. He is going to suffer and die.’
The LORD knew their thinking and fear, so he told them that His relationship with the Father would be enough to see Him through His sufferings. And He offered them the same strength. “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage. I have overcome the world.”
Has the world gotten in the way of any of your friendships? Do not be afraid of losing your friends. Instead, go to prayer, especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, sit around the table with the disciples at the Last Supper. Pray over the words of today’s Gospel a few times, and listen to your heart. Our Lord will give you the courage to be a good friend, even when someone else isn’t for whatever reason. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday, 6th Week in Easter
May 12, 2026, John 16:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051226.cfm “Grief Has Filled Your Hearts.” Sometimes out of the blue, we bring to mind a moment when we lost
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 6th Week in Easter
May 11, 2026, John 15:26-16:4ahttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051126.cfm No More Waiting Anyone who has undergone a shoulder or knee replacement understands that it doesn’toccur instantly. Often, doctors explore
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for 6th Sunday in Easter A
Mother’s Day May 5, 2026, John 15:12-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050826.cfm Choosing to Love Every Wednesday, our Holy Father, Pope Leo, has a general audience in Rome. Recently,
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 5th Week in Easter
May 9, 2026, John 15:18-21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050926 Opposition I recall hearing a candidate in a local documentary state that the Catholic Church is very close-minded on
Categories
Send Us A Message