How do we choose our friends?

 In an age where it is possible to know people from around the world who can be in contact with us instantly, it is hard to distinguish between a friend and an acquaintance. This is especially true when people can become virtual friends through the challenges of AI. We can start to notice how friendships may be built around how much people like our posts or the number of times they view our photos. Admittedly, the gift of friendship applications is that they keep us connected with each other in lives that are occupied by many things. Yet they can also burden us by substituting online interactions with deep and lasting friendships where we know the person more than just knowing about what they are doing.

The challenge of the Gospel is that Jesus doesn't just want a passing friendship with us. He actually engages with us even when we are not ready to be chosen. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the Holy Spirit is poured out on believers and non-believers alike. The one attitude to life is that they are listening to what is right and what brings meaning to their lives. This attentive listening is often referred to in modern terminology as mindfulness. Yet it is not just seeking out a good for ourselves but rather a more radical sense that is willing to go the extra mile for others even to be extent of giving our lives for them.

This outpouring of love is most radically expressed by Jesus in his passion, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. I find this the most profound place of love because it demonstrates the internal struggle that we share in recognizing our human limitations and our divine calling. God chooses us to love others not because of some remarkable talent or superhuman gift but rather because God sees our fundamental ability to share our lives for the good of another.

Each day we witness how people lay down their lives for others: parents for their children; children for their aging parents; first responders who rush into harm's way and even those little courtesies that make room for the other. Jesus places a radical call on our hearts to see that our friendship is not just skin deep but rather speaking in a language we can all understand. God chooses us to be known and remain in that love.