Friendship has value in this life and the next. Almost no happiness can exist without friendship. To be human we need someone with whom we can laugh and express our thoughts. We need to share our concerns and insights. "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:10)
Friendship increases the joys of well-being and lessens the sorrows of misfortune by dividing and sharing them. Tullius said that friends are present even when they are absent, rich though poor, strong though weak, and even alive when dead.
Friendship is on the edge of love and knowledge of God. It is a simple step from true friendship with another person to friendship with God. Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants.... I have called you friends" (John 15:15). All the best qualities of friendship begin in Christ, advance through Christ, and are perfected in Christ. -- Aelred of Rievaulx: Spiritual Friendship
Near to the Heart of God, May 3
No comments:
Post a Comment