God gave each one of us the capability of having beautiful, strong, and unique friendships. Whether our friends are with family members or coworkers or even saints, God entrusts us with certain people to know and to support us. He ultimately wants us to see the value in each other by seeing the face of Christ in one another. He wants us to appreciate each other.
One of the most powerful ways we can do this is by listening. Listening to a friend talk about their hardships, their dreams, and their desires or even just their day-to-day life strengthens the bond the two friends share. Just hearing the other person even makes the listener’s heart become more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Having a heart-to-heart discussion with a friend makes one more empathetic and does wonders for the whole emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the friend, which is one of the best kinds of therapy.
Furthermore, another way we can be a good friend in Christ for each other is through prayer. We should pray every day for our friends that their body, mind, and soul may be healthy. We should also pray for our friends in times of need and trust in God that they may be comforted and that their prayers may be answered in God’s perfect timing. Above all, we should pray for each other’s souls to get to Heaven.
A third way to be a good friend in Christ is to do Catholic activities together. Let Jesus be a part of the friendship. Go to Mass and Adoration together. Read the Bible together. Pray the Rosary together. You can alternate and pray a certain devotional prayer one week and then pray another the following week. Being a Catholic is a joy, so we should embrace our friendships in Christ.
If you ever need encouragement on being a good friend, look to Jesus and the lives of the saints. For example, John seems like Jesus’ best friend and was also one of His apostles. By this, I mean that John was always known “as the disciple whom He loved” and John was always there for Him, even at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Sacred Scripture verse is listed below.
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27
Another amazing friendship is found in the Blessed Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. When the Blessed Virgin Mary found out that Elizabeth was going to have a child, she “made haste” to see her. Think of that image. The Blessed Virgin Mary could be relied upon and did not waste any time to visit her cousin after hearing the wonderful news from the angel. As for Elizabeth, she was filled with so much joy to see her cousin. It was a charitable time indeed. The Sacred Scripture verse is listed below.
“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:39-42
As I have written earlier in this article, I will stress again. Being a good friend is about being there for each other through good and bad. Unlike worldly things like material gain and wealth which are fleeting and leave you feeling empty, friendships – especially friendships in Christ – are gems that last an eternity in Heaven.
Before I wrap up with one final Sacred Scripture verse which I hope you cherish in your heart, I want you always to remember that the most important friendship is, in fact, with Jesus. He should be the center of our lives. Putting our love and trust in Him should make all other friendships flourish.
Also remember to think how Jesus thinks by loving the way He loves. For even Sacred Scripture tells us: “But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
