A Great Prize

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” St. Thomas Aquinas

I usually do not like to quote such greats as Aquinas but for this article it seemed appropriate. I find saints like him are a bit out of my reach since he was so influential in the Church. Regardless, friendship is something that needs to be cherished. I can think only of my life in the Catholic Movement, Communion and Liberation, and my visits to the Carmelite Cloister, and even my life in the Church. No relationship is easy. We need to overcome ourselves and be open to the possibilities despite our frailties and insecurities. I was recently at a First Communion and it struck me how the family all came together to celebrate the occasion. They are not particularly close and some do not believe but they came together to stay united. I would submit that staying together is no easy task but out of love for something greater, it is really important. This grace does not come from within but from Christ.

“Love everyone with a deep love based on charity but form friendship only with those who can share virtuous things with you. The higher the virtues you share and exchange with others, the more perfect your friendship will.” St. Francis de Sales

My experience in the movement has generally been positive despite outside criticism. I learned that if we go looking for friends, we will not find any. But, if we look for Christ, he will bring us who we need and when at the appointed time. This is what we can understand in the history of the saints. I am sure that God raises up people we need to look at and at the right time. Blessed Rizziero was struggling with temptations. Meanwhile, St Francis, who was lying seriously ill, was informed by God of the struggles Blessed Rizziero was suffering and of his subsequent arrival in Assisi. Two Franciscans, at the request of St. Francis, went to meet him and brought him to Francis. Once Rizziero met Francis, the greeting brought great relief to the both of them. St Francis rose from his couch, kept Rizziero close to him the rest of his life. Nothing happens by chance. There is a reason for everything – there must be. We might not understand why things happen and why the results happen the way they do, but we continue to trust in the Almighty and His providence.

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” St. Basil

What kind of friendships do we sow? Sowing the seeds of friendship takes much work and grudges are not part of this. I work with international students of all ages. They are young adults, some older than that. They teach me many things to help me in my work. I thought I was teaching them English – it is the contrary. They teach me. There is so much to learn about our relationship with Christ and it takes a lifetime. I need to keep reading about the saints and stay faithful to the Christian experience. The Church, the sacraments, the spiritual life are all part of this journey.

“God sends us friends to be our firm support in the whirlpool of struggle. In the company of friends, we will find strength to attain our sublime ideal.” St. Maximilian Kolbe