A Moment To Pause: Friday 8th May 2026

We join Kirk Jacob for this morning’s short audio reflection during the 5th week of Eastertide.

Today is Friday, 8th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of John 15:14 – ‘You are my friends if you do what I COMMAND you’. 

Good morning to you. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Oh! Boy.. what a challenging Gospel as Jesus looks you and me in the eye with a deep compassionate heart saying: ‘You, Kirk, You Mary, You Dave, You Jackie, your own name.. are my friends if you do what I COMMAND you!’. It leaves me feelingrestless hearing this direct soulful words of Jesus. The Command is to open my hearts to Jesus’ Unconditional Love.   I don’tknow about you the listener, I find myself struggling with that word: ‘command’ even though I understand the need for it.Parents, Teachers, people in Authority give commands to subordinates, children, young people under them normally yield to their authority albeit with some resistance. Though we know fully well that it's not the case always. Recent news here at some schools in England, we witnessed some students reacting violently to authority and authority figures, using knives and kicking out at Teachers and fellow pupils in primary and secondary schools, Police and Army (in some cases) have had to be brought in to places meant for learning. A sad state of affairs. This thinking may have been alien to you and me in our growing up years.  

We ask you Lord Jesus to help us follow your commands of love to neighbour, self, country respecting other’s boundaries and sharing our resources globally. Amen. Have a blessed day!