The following homily was given at the Lumen Christi monastery of the Little Sisters of Lamb in Kansas City, KS

Our society today is very focused on romantic love. One would think that this is greatest love one could desire or find. Yet, when Jesus wanted to describe the love he had for his disciples, a love so great that it would cause him to lay down his life, he uses the word “friend.” Sometimes people of the opposite sex who are not romantically interested in each other will say that they are “just friends.” Today’s Gospel teaches us that there is no greater honor that you could ever have than to be someone’s friend.