For those who, like me come from a dysfunctional family, (we put the fun in dysfunctional. Our sense of humor, which is genetic if it is anything, was our saving grace; that and grace itself!)- friends are all the more important. In fact, they become our family of choice. They become the manifestation of the consolation of God. The best of friends are those with whom one can be silent. This takes years of friendship to get to but is a wonderful experience and a cherished development.
The great, forgotten title of Our Blessed Lord is that of Friend. He is God, surely. He is Brother, Lord, King and Saviour- of course, but He is also FRIEND. The kind of Friend one can pour out our joys, wishes, disappointments and failures to. That special Friend that will always accept us as we are, not what we feel we are supposed to be. The Cure of Ars, (St. John Vianney,) had a parishioner who would spend hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament. One day he asked him what he prayed about to the Lord. The man said, “Oh, I don’t pray, Father; I look at Him and He looks at me.” That is the familiarity to which Christ calls us. That is a beautiful place to be. May God manifest Himself to you as Friend.
“Lord, thank you for all the wonderful friends you give me. May I always be a true friend to them. May I be willing to listen, to love, to speak gently the words of peace, but most importantly, may I have the grace to keep my mouth shut when all that is needed is my presence. Thank You, Lord, for being my Friend. Amen.”
