Sacred Heart Novena Day 2 of 9: Friendship

Jesus Friend

John 15:15-17  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.

Dear Lord,

On the night before your death you called us friends and you commanded us to love one another. What does it mean to be your friend? What a special vocation and calling. Did you ever even call me a slave? You opened yourself and and held no secret back. You let us in on the secret of life, summed up in one word, Love.

Thank you, Lord, for the grace to be your friend. Thank you for opening up. Thank you for sharing with us what it means to live. Love, bear fruit, be friends - in particular with You - and stay united with God. Amen.

Sacred Heart Novena: Day 1 of 9 - Service

John 13:1-5 Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, 3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

Dear Lord,

At the heart of this Devotion is your Love. I want to be a part of it. While the rest of the Evangelists wrote of your Eucharistic Love, John, "The Beloved Disciple", spoke of your humble love, the love you showed by serving your disciples and your friends. Teach us to walk the same humble path of service by putting our neighbors first. Don't let us love less than we are called to love. Let your Last Supper Standard fly high so that we can walk with you despite our daily struggles. Lead us in service, show us how to love. Make us more worthy participants in your Banquet of Love, mirror-image of Heaven. Amen.