"Friendships & Beer with Jesus" Part 2
This is part two of the blog “ Friendships & Beer with Jesus”. If you have not read the first part click here to be taken to that blog before reading this one. First thing first. I want to say I value all friendships and relationships in my life. Whether there is an “active “ relationship with faith, being Catholic or religious. With that being said, I must admit there is a difference between those friendship that I can not deny.
The C.S. Lewis quote from the last blog expresses the fact of Jesus in the middle of these relationships. Now, this does not mean Jesus is not in the relationships that are... well.. one sided Jesus centered. By that I mean that only one person in the friendship or relationship acknowledges the presence of Jesus or Faith in their lives. Jesus is within the friendships/relationships in our lives whether we acknowledge it or not. Yet, when He is acknowledged within them, it is a different relationship. There is a deeper core of who we are that is touched. A connection that is forged in the soul. It does not mean it is better per say but different. Different in the sense of what you share in common. Your faith in at the center of who you are and with that so are the people who share that same faith. It is the core.
C.S. Lewis says “ But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chance”. There are reasons why people are in our lives. There is something to learn and gain from these relationships. It means having that extra ear, heart, mind and soul that listens to the same God and Beliefs as you. It means that extra voice that Jesus can use to speak to you when you can’t hear His voice clearly. I have to say some of the greatest lessons I have learned are from these relationships. This does not mean that these relationships don’t have challenges and always work out. We have our own will and with that it brings those challenges to these relationships. You would think that it would be easier with fellow believers but again there is more to it then just our beliefs. You will still gravitate to people who share other things in common but having faith in common is that cherry on top, that extra scoop, that extra dip in sprinkles, and that extra piece that completes that part of the soul.
Why is it different? My Faith is the center of me. It is what guides me both good and bad. Then you bring that faith into an active role of friendship that also has faith as an element, it will intensify it as well. The faith speaks louder. As Jesus said “ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. When we gather with our “Faith” friends how often does Jesus or the Faith come up? It is more then you realize. It is not a topic that you even think about before hand to bring up. It just comes up. Same as it would if two football players meet up, football will come up. If two musicians meet up, must will be discussed. Two work friends, work will be discussed. Two believers, faith will be discussed. It is a natural part of your life.
When the other person does not have the same beliefs or any belief at all, you are limiting yourself. That core part of you is not exposed to the same level or even at all. Some people would say I rather not discuss religion or faith because it is not my thing or it is more personal. A major part of you is closed off.
Think about the relationships in your life that involve and do not involve the faith. How do you see the differences? How do you approach each of those relationships? What I thought would be just a two part bog will have another part tomorrow because I want to explore the song and I am thinking there will be a fourth part where I want to explore Jesus’s friendships as well. It is amazing how a song or a quote can make you really stop and think about things.
Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember all relationships are special, just some of them become part of who we are.
Saturday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 217
Reading 1
1 JN 5:14-21
Beloved:
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia
MT 4:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
JN 3:22-30
Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea,
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
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