Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
There is a well-known quote that states, “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” I usually laugh when I read it because I wonder what that says about me considering that at least 4 of those people in my life are under the age of 10, so if I take the average ages of my children and my wife (even though that’s technically six people), I’m about the equivalent of an 11-year-old. I’m sure there is plenty of debate and disagreement about the accuracy of the above statement, but I do believe there is some truth to the idea that we are shaped by the people we surround ourselves with. Our first reading today from Sirach offers a compelling framework for the value of good friendship.
A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,
and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
He who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
No sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
Such as he who fears God finds. (Sir 6:5, 14-17)
Is this not the type of friend that we all would like to have in our lives? Someone who stays with us in good times and bad alike, through the trials and tribulations of life, all of the ups and downs. It’s not a mistake that faithfulness is a key tenant in marriage as echoed in the vows for most wedding ceremonies: ‘for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part’. So how can I be a good friend? Jesus draws us into friendship and throughout the gospel teaches the love required to be in right relationship with God. God’s love is unwavering, reliable, boundless. The more we experience this kind of love and faithfulness–this kind of friendship–the more prepared we will be to do that for others. We have opportunities daily to foster friendships, to be present and compassionate toward our friends. May we surround ourselves with–and be for others–reliable, trustworthy, and faithful; Or as Sirach put it: sturdy, priceless, and life-saving.
May we reflect and embody the love of Christ in our friendships: “this is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends”. Let us see and love others as Jesus sees and loves us.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer