Pope Francis reflects on importance of friendship

Source: Vatican Media

Approximately 20 thousand pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square on Sunday for the Regina Coeli with Pope Francis.

In his reflections on the day's Gospel Pope Francis recalled Jesus' words to the Apostles, "I do not call you servants any longer, but friends". What does this mean?"

"In the Bible, the 'servants' of God are special people to whom He entrusts important missions, such as Moses, King David, the prophet Elijah, up to the Virgin Mary. They are people into whose hands God places his treasures. But all this is not enough, according to Jesus, to say who we are for Him, it is not enough, we need more, something greater, which goes beyond goods and projects themselves: we need friendship.

"Since we are children we learn how beautiful this experience is: we offer our friends our toys and the most beautiful gifts; then as we grow up, as teenagers, we confide our first secrets to them; when we are young we offer loyalty; as adults we share satisfactions and worries; as old people we share memories, considerations and silences of long days. The Word of God, in the Book of Proverbs, tells us that "perfume and incense cheer the heart, and the advice of a friend softens the soul". Let's think for a moment about our friends, and thank the Lord for them! A space to think about them…

"Friendship is not the result of calculation, nor of coercion: it arises spontaneously when we recognize something of ourselves in the other. And, if it is true, the friendship is so strong that it does not fail even in the face of betrayal. 'A friend always loves you' - the Book of Proverbs states again -, as Jesus shows us when he says to Judas, who betrays him with a kiss: 'Friend, that's why you are here!'. A true friend doesn't abandon you, even when you make mistakes: he corrects you, maybe scolds you, but he forgives you and doesn't abandon you.

"And today Jesus, in the Gospel, tells us that we are precisely this for him, friends: dear people beyond all merit and all expectations, to whom he extends his hand and offers his love, his grace, his Word; with whom - with us, friends - he shares what he holds most dear, everything he has heard from the Father. To the point of becoming fragile for us, of putting himself in our hands without defenses and without pretensions, because he loves us. The Lord loves us, as a friend he wants our good and wants us to share in him.

"So let's ask ourselves: what face does the Lord have for me? The face of a friend or a stranger? Do I feel loved by Him like a loved one? And what is the face of Jesus that I witness to others, especially to those who make mistakes and need forgiveness?

May Mary help us to grow in friendship with her Son and to spread it around us."

After the Regima Caeli, Pope Francis sent his best wishes "with great affection to the brothers and sisters of the Orthodox Churches and some Eastern Catholic Churches who today, according to the Julian calendar, celebrate Holy Easter. May the risen Lord fill all communities with joy and peace, and comfort those who are in trial. To them, Happy Easter!"

He also assured people in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, who have been affected by major floods of his prayers. "May the Lord welcome the deceased and comfort the family members and those who have had to leave their homes."

The Pope greeted greeted many groups of pilgrims present from around the world, and had special greetings for the new Swiss Guards and their families "A round of applause for the Swiss Guards!" he said.

Once again he called for prayers for "tormented Ukraine - it suffers so much! - and also for Palestine and Israel, may there be peace, so that the dialogue is strengthened and bears good fruit. No to war, yes to dialogue!"

Watch on Vatican Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxE-3ooM6O4