By Beth DeCristofaro
Then they who fear the LORD spoke with one another, and
the LORD listened attentively; And a record book was written before him of
those who fear the LORD and trust in his name. And they shall be mine, says the
LORD of hosts (Malachi 16-17)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a
friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of
bread,… I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because
of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of
his persistence. (Luke 11:5, 8)
Piety
Open our hearts, O
Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. (Mass of the Day)
Study
“What a Friend you
Have in Jesus” is an old song but is also something that I keep having to
relearn each and every day. Being pretty
thickheaded, it is usually in retrospect that I recognize that my Friend has
always given me loaves when I have asked for bread.
When I was a young
girl the starving children of Biafra made me distressed, fearful and
confused. I asked that something be
done. My Friend gave me the gift of
empathy so that I feel unity with those who suffer and understand compassion.
Living on my own far
from home I asked that my loneliness be taken away. My Friend gave me new
friends on which to lean and other friends who needed to lean upon me.
As a young adult I
asked for real meaning because life seemed superficial. My Friend gave me a family who supports me
with love and calls me out of my self-centeredness.
My father grew very
ill and I asked that he be cured. My
friend gave me the gift of hope even in the face of death that life is eternal
and all would be well.
I asked to know Him
better and my Friend sent me mentors and asked me to impart what I learned to
others.
I asked for the gift
of faith and my Friend gave me Himself in the Eucharist.
I asked for a renewed
spirit. My Friend introduced me to
Cursillo.
I asked to be of
service and my Friend asked that I serve the dying as He prepares their eternal
homes.
Action
Burdens, Struggles,
Weaknesses and Hurts abound. What are we
doing for the friends of our Friend?
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