The Meaning of Friendship

The readings over the last couple of weeks in The Liturgy of the Hours are about King David (1 and 2 Samuel). In the readings, Jonathan, the son of the king whom David will replace, vows his allegiance to David as a friend. Even though his father, King Saul, wants to kill David, Jonathan sees something in David which transcends all the structures of society.

What is it that Jonathan sees? He sees the will of God.

When we are friends with someone, what guides the rules of our friendship? How far are we willing to go to maintain the friendship?

Jesus says, "a friend is willing to lay down his life for his friends." This, of course, was his forewarning that he would lay down his life for us. It was a statement that God was our friend and was going to sacrifice himself for us, rather than having us sacrifice ourselves for him.

Friendship, for the Christian, only has its definition when it is within the context of our relationship with God. God's friendship was a laying down of his life for our good. He laid down his life so that we could have life forevermore. His willingness to be our friend extended as far as good. His friendship was not to advance evil or self indulgence.

Jonathan's friendship was not a betrayal of his father Saul because it was not a betrayal of the Heavenly Father.

For us, who are trying to 'get spiritual', friendship means laying down our life for the good of each other. So, when someone asks you to do something bad because 'you are my friend', the answer is a resounding "no".

For more on living the spiritual life and resources for the spiritual life go to http://www.MySpiritualAdvisor.com.