Called to be Jesus' Friends

Philippians 3:4b-14      John 12:1-8

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more…

St. Paul writes from a Roman prison to the Church in Phillipi.  In that very human way he has, he points out all his noteworthy and praiseworthy attributes – as seen from a worldly standpoint, and his comments call us to reflect on our own pride of self.  We all do it, at least occasionally, reflect our good points, our successes.  We give ourselves a pat on the back, and this sort of thinking is highly encouraged by counsellors who want us to be positive about ourselves.

Paul isn’t just summing up his good points, he’s concentrating on those that express his devoutness and his standing as a good Jew.  From what he says, it is obvious that Paul could have lived a good and comfortable life within the Jewish community.  What he says would win applause from any therapist today, and would also be impressive to the Church in Philippi. So, it is meant to come as a shock for them and for us when he adds, “Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.. . For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish.”

Today’s lessons are the beginning of “the end”. Holy Week begins next Sunday, but today, while we are called to be thankful for all we have, all the graces God has given us, we are also called to prepare for what is to come – because, as we learn from Paul, what is to come will change our lives.

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

In today’s Gospel story, Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem. We know what that means, and so does Jesus. He knows what is coming, even though those who are closest to Him refuse to see or even acknowledge it. “Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.” He had just brought Lazarus back from the dead, revealing a power and authority that threatened the priests’ own religious and political control, “so from that day on they planned to put him to death.”

Jesus, knowing this, still starts on His way to Jerusalem, but first, He stops in Bethany to visit His dearest friends. We don’t know why Lazarus, Martha, and Mary had become His close friends, but we do know that their love for one another was great. And we also know that when we are in danger and in pain, we long for someone to sit with us, to accept us as we are, to comfort us by just being there; someone who will not argue by telling us everything will be all right, but someone who will share in our apprehension, without words. Such was the friendship between Jesus and these three siblings.

We already know that they loved having Him visit, with Martha anxious to feed Him and Mary anxious to listen to Him. In that previous meeting when the two sisters argued, His visit to them was for their sake. And when their brother died from illness, His coming to them was for all their sakes.

But now, a few days before His arrest and immense suffering, He comes to them for Himself. He needs human companionship and human comfort. And they give it to Him. They call other friends to come join them at a festive dinner. The siblings don’t know what is about to happen to Him; they simply know that He needs to be near them.

Martha, as is her habit, does what she is used to doing: she feeds the people she loves. Mary goes the extra mile. Food is not enough for her; only the most precious gift will do. In her symbolic act of pouring the costliest perfume on Jesus’ feet, she honors Him and reveals her deep love and gratitude, because He has indeed made her life worth living with His words and actions.  It also is a gesture that foreshadows what is about to happen.  The dead are anointed with fragrant spices and oils.

Nonetheless, this a lovely moment, as the whole house fills with an exquisite aroma. A lovely moment spoiled with pettiness by the one who has stopped loving his teacher. Judas berates Mary as he claims that beauty and gratitude are a useless extravagance when there are poor people around – and Jesus responds, Leave her alone.

Jesus is telling Judas, and those listening, that an expression of love for Him that rises beyond the absolute necessities of life is acceptable. This is a special occasion. He knows that He will not be seeing His friends again. He will carry with Him to the cross the aroma of their love and devotion. After this joyous banquet, He will turn His face toward Jerusalem and suffering.

We live surrounded by suffering. It causes questions and doubts, anger and despair. Jesus knew about human suffering in Himself and others. Though - in His final days He sought some time with His dearest friends, He remained obedient to a loving God, even unto death. Paul lived in perpetual struggle and agony for the sake of the Christ who called him to Himself.

Next week is Palm Sunday – a glorious day when Jesus rides triumphantly into Jerusalem – knowing that there He will die.  It is also Passion Sunday, the beginning of the week in which Jesus will be arrested, tortured, and crucified - all for our sake.  It is not a pleasant week.  It is a week filled with pain.

We can see from today’s readings how both Paul and Jesus had other choices, human choices, comfortable choices.  Yet - in obedience to the will of His heavenly Father Jesus died for us. Paul died for Christ and for Christ’s Church, the latter of which is, again, us.

Our calling, as Jesus’ friends, is to be there for others and for Him, be there as Paul was always there for the infant Church, to be there as Mary, Martha and Lazarus were there for their friend, Jesus. Be there as Jesus is always there for us. Sometimes, we are called to suffer, but always we are called to rejoice in our Lord and call others to Him through our joy.

It is human to prefer the comfortable life. Sometimes this is our lot, but often we too are called to suffer, and yet, in joy or pain, we are called to press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, we thank You for granting us the strength to remain faithful to You. We rejoice, for or hearts are filled with joy – the pure joy of being Your followers, Your friends. Though we sometimes may waver, we know that at the end of every day You are always waiting for us to come home to You. Grant us the grace to continue to praise Your name until the end of our days. All this we ask, for Your Love and mercy’s sake.  Amen.