There is something unique about the relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ. I have often wondered why Jesus chose those particular twelve men to spend three years together in very close proximity. Their personalities and lives covered the full spectrum of humanity—with diversity as an apparent goal.

They were individuals, of course, but they did have some commonality about them as we read of their lives and life together throughout the Holy Gospels. One aspect of their brotherhood was that they drew together as they grew in their life with Jesus as their Teacher and Model. He constantly fed them heavenly food.

What seems to have happened was that their relationship went beyond the self—even Judas wanted what he perceived to be the best for them all. They did not fear confronting each other with the truth of God, as we hear Saint Paul in his letter to Philemon 20-21: ‘I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.’ They had moved beyond the slap on the back of friendship here.

And Paul knew that his brother in Christ would respond rightly! He continues with: ‘Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.’ And he was asking a lot—wanting his brother to receive his former slave as a brother! Paul was refreshed by Philemon, as he knew he would be—that’s the way of Christian brotherhood!