Who Do You Reckon Among Your Best Friends?

Have you ever had a good friend who ditched you after a disagreement? In these days of TDS and disputes over religion, it seems pretty common. I still mourn over some lost friends. I pray for one who died years ago. I'm confident she and I will be friends again worshiping together before the throne of God. Until that day, I think of her kindly and pray for the repose of her soul and our happy reunion.

But what I take great heart in are all the friends who will never close the door and post a "do not enter" sign. One of them is pictured above. How I love St. Joan of Arc that courageous warrior and modest maid of the Lord. What an example she is for the Church Militant. I have the documented testimony she gave before that evil bishop Pierre Cauchon, who conspired to have her declared a heretic and burned at the stake. 

Sometimes names are revealing. Take the a out of cauchon and you have the french word for pig. When Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine he illustrated what swine do in the pigpen. They root and stomp and can cause serious injury through their aggressive behavior. Joan was the victim of a politician bishop un cochon for sure. Sound familiar? We have beaucoup "cochons" among our bishops today. And how many have worn the papal white?

I consider St. Joan a friend indeed! And even closer to me is my Confirmation patron, St. Dominic. I thank him for the influence he's had in my life helping me defend the unborn through word and work and defend the faith. What a role model he is for us today!

And think of the great multitude of friends we have in heaven: our guardian angel, St. Michael, and all the choirs surrounding us at the altar and when Christ reigns in our hearts. When I read Butler's Lives of the Saints I ask every saint to intercede for me before the throne of God. I'm confident that they answer my prayer. And what a number they make, a glorious crowd of martyrs, virgins, parents, children, priests. It really is the family of God.

But above all, I think of my Mother Mary for whom I was named and the great gift God gave us from the cross. What a tragedy that so many protestants treat her with disrespect and contempt. How foolish an attitude toward the greatest help they have after Jesus in the spiritual life.

Today I'm praying the rosary and Mary's litany to call on all my heavenly friends for help. We all need that help. And they are all closer than a phone call away. A quick prayer and they are all listening eagerly.

Thank you, friends, for your faithfulness! All saints and angels of God, please pray for me.