Works of Mercy and the Gift of Friendship

We went to the funeral yesterday of a wonderful man. We've known him for decades and although we weren't close family friends, we had many connections through the pro-life movement. As we were getting ready I thought what a great opportunity it was to practice both a corporal work of mercy, bury the dead, and a spiritual work of mercy, pray for the living and the dead. Not only that, but we saw several people we knew and rejoiced in the brief moment allowing us to renew our friendships.

So many people are gifts, some for a lifetime, some for a season. A relative once questioned my statement about being a friend to another relative whom my husband and I supported at a crucial time. She said, "You aren't friends." It was true that we hadn't had much contact for several years, but I still objected. My reply was to ask if the Good Samaritan was a friend to the wounded Jew. How much of a relationship did they have? Did the Good Samaritan ever meet the man again or had he already recovered and gone when he returned to the inn? To stand by someone in need and then lose touch altogether or even go low contact doesn't erase a time of friendship when someone may have been in great need.

My husband and I offered a shelter home for unwed moms for about fifteen years. During that time we hosted about a dozen women for a few days up to several months. We've lost touch with all of them although some stayed in touch for several years. Again, we were there in a season when these young women needed a supportive friend.

What, after all, is friendship? The American Heritage Dictionary describes it this way:

Friendliness; good will.

Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony; correspondence.

That definition is broad and certainly encompasses relationships that don't involve being bosom buddies! Friendship for a time is really rather typical. How many adults are still in touch with the close friends of their childhood? How many college friends still get together after marriage and family responsibilities create new obligations?

1. At the funeral yesterday we met a couple we haven't seen since the last funeral we attended together about four years ago. We had a lovely hour-long visit bringing each other up on what's been happening in our families. Are we close family friends? No. We don't spend holidays together or make frequent dinner dates. We meet occasionally and celebrate those moments. Our friendship is based on shared values and mutual respect and regard. In effect, we walk together going in the same direction toward Jesus Christ. Most times our walk is on parallel paths that infrequently intersect. When they do it is an opportunity for joyful engagement. But when our paths don't cross, we nevertheless have a shared relationship as members of the Body of Christ. I often pray for everyone who's touched my life. Can friends do anything more important than pray for one another?
2. Our friends are off on an exciting adventure in a few weeks and we'll be remembering them in prayer. And isn't that the real test of friendship and love? We have "good will" toward each other and have an "aptness to unite" when we meet. That certainly fits in with God's friendship and gift of "peace on earth to men of good will." 
3. May you have many friends and a few intimate ones, friends of the heart. And may your closest friend be Christ our Lord.