God Says Let’s Be Friends

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 15:22-31; PS 57:8-9, 10 and 12; Jn 15:12-17
Note: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

Friendship in the Catechism

• God created man in his image and established him in his friendship.
• The new Law of Love is friendship and the becoming adopted sons and heirs of the kingdom.
• By his Revelation, “the invisible God, from the fullness of his love, addresses men as his friends, and moves among them, in order to invite and receive them into his own company. The adequate response to this invitation is faith.
• Grace is God sharing his divine life and friendship with us by way of habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition.
• Salvation itself is the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of friendship with God, which can be done by God alone.
• Heaven, the state of those who live with Christ forever in the friendship and presence of God.
• Those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified forever with Christ. They are like God forever, for they ‘see him as he is,” face to face.

Responsorial Psalm
I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord

Gospel Portion
Jesus said to his disciples:

• “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
• “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
• “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”
• Friend, “It was …appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain”
• Friend, “whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”
• Friend, “This I command you: love one another.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry