“I no longer call you slaves… I have called you friends…” – John 15:15

       Do you realize what being God’s friend means? I’ve got rich and famous, powerful and popular friends — celebrities in showbiz, politics, business, and yes, even in church.

       I was a nobody. But now I can say I became somebody. And one main reason is because of these “big” friends of mine. I got big breaks because of them. Most of the time, just being with them makes me instantly big, too.

       Yet, no big shot on this planet or in the entire universe can even come close to the bigness of God. He created and owns the universe. Even the richest, most powerful, most famous person on earth is a speck of dust to Him. And this big God calls you friend!

       Chances are, the big shot you brag about as your friend doesn’t really know you, or doesn’t really care for you, or won’t stand by you in times of failure, trouble or shame. But Jesus gave His life for you while you were a sinner and a nobody. That’s a true Big Friend who, in your smallness, loves you.

       I am a friend of God… And that makes me big! Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

Reflection:Are you feeling small? Come to Jesus, your One True Big Friend who will truly love you big-time!

Lord, thank You that in my sinfulness, in my smallness, in my nothingness, You see me and You truly love me. Thank You for making me big in Your loving eyes. Amen.

St. Theophilus of Corte, pray for us.

This was the first Church Council and it ended with leaders of the Church in agreement. There will be times when things won’t run so smoothly. This will be difficult for the Church especially in the area of discipline. We need to embrace the Gospel no matter how hard it is to reconcile with the ways of the world. There are Church teachings that contradict modern society’s lifestyle.

22 The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia of Gentile  origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: 28 ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’” 30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

R: I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

7 [8] My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise. 8 [9] Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn. (R) 9 [10] I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O Lord. I will chant your praise among the nations, 10 [11] For your mercy towers to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies. 11 [12] Be exalted above the heavens, O God; above all the earth be your glory! (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus reminds us that God chose us before we chose Him. God took the initiative and invited us to have a personal relationship with Him, and we responded to His offer of love and mercy. Let us always remember that God loved us first, so we can love Him and others, too.

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

12 Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love 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 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. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.”

Read the Bible in one year Judges 5-8

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

FRUIT THAT WILL REMAIN

One thing I learned as a part-time cook for the community was that certain fruits do not last longer than a few days. Bananas, for one, don’t keep long in the heat, but neither is it a good idea to put them in the refrigerator. Out in the heat of summer, bananas become overripe in no time. Put inside the refrigerator, the skin turns black and becomes unpalatable.

       The Lord reminds us about us being “appointed to go and bear fruit that will remain.” He knew what I learned somewhat belatedly that certain “fruits” — that is, products of our handiwork and the pickings from all our human efforts — tend not to last for long.

       There are those who put in so much effort to achieve certain things. There, too, are some who pour in all their inner and outer resources to gain fleeting recognition and honor. On Black Friday sale, people camp out for the night, get up at dawn, fall in line, and jostle their way inside malls just to have that singular honor of being among the first to have the latest smartphone associated with a half-eaten fruit. But while it is true that an apple has a long shelf life, the product associated with it is only good for six months at most.

        These are examples of fruit that does not remain for long.

     Fruits are there to nourish, to sustain, to give life to oneself and others. Material fruits are not meant to last forever, but such fruits are not what the Lord was referring to. He referred, instead, to fruits that feed and nurture oneself and others, and fruits that reproduce. He was talking about deeds that produce lasting effects, whose benefits remain for long — for others to continue benefitting from.

       These are the kinds of fruits that we are counseled to bear — fruits that last, fruits that remain, and fruits that produce lasting results. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

What kind of fruits do you offer the world?

Lord, enable me to bear fruit that will produce lasting results. Amen.