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Friday, May 20, 2005

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St. Bernardine of Siena


Sirach 6:5-17
Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35
Mark 10:1-12

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"what a friend we have in jesus"

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure." —Sirach 6:14        

It's a rough life; we're in the middle of a war; it's storming outside. A faithful friend is a shelter, a treasure beyond price (Sir 6:14, 15). "Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love, he would be roundly mocked" (Sg 8:7). "A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds" (Sir 6:16).

Since friends are such a rich blessing, we need to know how to have as many true friends as possible. First, we must fear God, that is, have a right relationship to God. The way to do this, to have friends, or do anything is to do everything in Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6).

"What a friend we have in Jesus!" When He's our Friend, we have the Way to true friendship with others. With true friendship, we have the support and encouragement, the protection and shelter, to live a life faithful to the Lord, our spouses, families, and brothers and sisters in the Lord.

"A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer" (Sir 37:5). Thank Jesus for true friends!

Prayer:  Jesus, I know You'll always remain faithful and true. May I also be.

Promise:  "At the beginning of creation God made them male and female; for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become as one. They are no longer two but one flesh." —Mk 10:6-8

Praise:  St. Bernardine of Siena helped reform the Franciscans by his preaching on penance and conversion. He was well known for propagating devotion to the Name of his Best Friend, Jesus.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Spiritual Warfare on audio AV 57-3 or video V-57.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004

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