True Friend

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022417.cfm) reminds me how much of a blessing a true friend is. 

It is easy to have many acquaintances. It is easy to know a lot of people by name, or on a superficial level. It is easy to be popular. However, what is hard, and more important, is having deep and quality relationships with friends. This takes time and effort to build, but is very worth it. 

Having one true friend is worth more than having a thousand acquaintances. 

In the first reading, we see how important it is to have a true friend. Important and helpful. It is easy to have "friends" but until you go through challenges and tough times will you be able to tell the real ones from fake, superficial ones. And when you find the real ones, keep them. 

True friends not only stick with you, they also bring you closer to God. They improve you. They genuinely care about you. This is also what we should be to others. We should be there not only to be with them, but also to bring them to God. We should be there not to tolerate them, but to improve them. 

May we make the effort to build quality relationships and friendships, and do our best to be a real friend to others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am not willing to spend time and effort in building quality relationships. Sorry for focusing on superficial friendships. Help me be a real friend, and I ask that you guide me in making real friends that would not only improve me and be with me, but would also bring me to you. And may I bring my friends to you as well. Amen. 

 Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 24, 2017
Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 345

Reading 1 Sir 6:5-17

A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,
and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
Let your acquaintances be many,
but one in a thousand your confidant.
When you gain a friend, first test him,
and be not too ready to trust him.
For one sort is a friend when it suits him,
but he will not be with you in time of distress.
Another is a friend who becomes an enemy,
and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
Another is a friend, a boon companion,
who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
When things go well, he is your other self,
and lords it over your servants;
But if you are brought low, he turns against you
and avoids meeting you.
Keep away from your enemies;
be on your guard with your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly,
and his friend will be like himself.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Alleluia Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."