United in Christنموونە

Friends in Christ

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted

For many years, the prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper has resounded in my own heart: “That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21). In part, this longing for unity in Christ stems from my love for my non-Catholic grandfather and anti-Catholic grandmother. 

That powerful prayer of our Savior also deeply moved St. John Paul II, with whom I worked closely for nearly ten years and who has been a spiritual father for me. In him, I witnessed a deep commitment to pray and make special efforts to promote unity among all the baptized. 

From the beginning of my participation in the John 17 Movement, I have been warmly welcomed as a brother in Christ and invited to share my own story of coming to love the Lord Jesus and to join others in giving thanks and praise to God. 

It has been moving to witness the personal love for Christ so evident in my Evangelical brothers and sisters, and to see their desire to build bonds of fraternity and friendship in fidelity to the prayer of Jesus. While I am not sure of the path that lies ahead, I trust that the Holy Spirit is the origin of this initiative and that He will bring forth good fruit if we faithfully follow his lead. 

I trust that the good relationships that have been forged since the beginning of John 17 will continue to grow and that we will experience in still deeper ways the reality of Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “I do not call you servants any longer . . . I have called you friends” (John 15:15). I hope that the Holy Spirit, who has led us to take to heart Jesus’ prayer in John chapter 17, will lead us also to complete unity in His name. 

Reflect

Can Jesus’ desire, prayer, and work at the cross be enough for us to start building bonds of fraternity and friendship with brothers and sisters from other denominations? 

Consider

In John 15:14, Jesus says: “You are my friends if you do what I command.” And later he adds: “This is my command: Love each other.” The ultimate example of friendship is found in Jesus. He received love from the Father, and He gave that love to us. He loved us when we were His enemies. He proved His love to His disciples (and us) by giving His life at the cross. He is now commanding us to remain in His love—nothing more, nothing less.

Prayer

Beloved Father, thank you for your friendship. I am deeply honored and blessed to have you as my friend. Teach me to remain in your love. Amen.