Every single line in today’s Gospel opens up a whole thought world for me. It was hard to choose just one phrase. The First Reading and the Psalm are full of meaning too. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles Peter sets the criteria for choosing a new apostle:
‘We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us – and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.’
It is interesting that Peter doesn’t list desired qualities or qualifications. Instead it’s connection to the group that is important, ‘someone who has been with us the whole time.’ Reading between the lines it’s perhaps someone who has been with the apostles through thick and thin, someone who was drawn to Jesus and prepared to follow him wherever he went. It’s probably safe to assume that Matthias was a friend of the disciples.
This theme of connection and close companionship is found too in the Gospel text. The setting is the Last Supper. It’s a meal shared by close friends. Jesus speaks in a language which is direct and clear; he speaks of unconditional, sacrificial love- agape. When he calls his disciples friends we move into a realm which can all understand.
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last.
Friendship with Christ is what will sustain the disciples as they take on the task of preaching the Good News.
Imagine yourself at the table with the disciples. Listen to Jesus. Listen as he calls you ‘friend’. How do you respond?