7th Week, Friday, Feb 28
Sirach
6:5-17
A friend is priceless; Whoever finds one finds a treasure.
Psychologist
Eugene Kennedy has what he calls a true "test of friendship." It's
this. If you find you can't be with someone unless you're doing something
together on which you can focus your direct attention- like bowling or going to
a movie- then that person may not be as good a friend as you think. The true
test of a friendship, says Kennedy, is that you can do nothing together and
still be happy. The true test of a friendship is that you enjoy each other so
much that you don't need to add anything to the glue that holds your
relationship together. According to Kennedy's test of friendship, which person
in our lives is our best friend?
***
"The
finger of God touches your life when you make a friend." Mary Dawson
Hughes
****
Introduction
“There is no brighter face of God on earth than
friendship,” writes Brother Roger of Taizé. Ben Sirach speaks in moving terms
of friendship, yet he remains on a superficial level and falls far short of
friendship as described by Christian authors. Christ himself made the
willingness to die for one’s friends the highest mark of friendship and he put
it into practice.
***
Gospel. To Christ, marriage is
planned by God to be indissoluble. Infidelity in marriage and divorce are
against the will of God, whose faithfulness is the model of fidelity in
marriage. In this eucharist we pray for fidelity for our Christian couples and for
all of us in our commitments for fidelity to God and our neighbor.
Opening Prayer
You have created us, Lord our God, for friendship and
for durable love, and you have shown us in Jesus your Son how to live for one
another and for you. May we learn from him to remain faithful to one another, each
one according to one’s calling in life. Let our love for one another be the
language in which you speak to us and the sign that you are near to us through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
***
Mark
10: 1-12; Strengthening our hearts in love
Knowing
the struggles and uncertainties of life, Jesus does not expect us to have
all the answers, nor does He condemn us for our weaknesses. Instead, He
patiently instructs with mercy, reminding us that we all need His guidance.
Life is full of unexpected challenges, and no one is immune to failure. Before judging
others, we must remember that we, too, have fallen short. The path of
faith requires humility, an openness to learning, and trust in God’s wisdom.
A hardened
heart is one of the biggest barriers to genuine commitment. When pride,
selfishness, or pain build walls in our relationships, love is suffocated. This
is especially true in marriage, where dialogue and mutual understanding are
essential. A toxic relationship, devoid of love and respect, can destroy God’s
image in the family. The hardness of the heart leads to
isolation and bitterness, whereas love, humility, and the presence of God keep
relationships alive. We are called to cultivate hearts that listen, forgive,
and seek unity over self-interest.
In a world
that often distorts love into mere pleasure or convenience, we must strive for
a love that is self-giving and life-giving. True love is not about personal
gratification but about facing life’s realities together and offering
everything to God. Commitment is not always easy, but when our hearts are
rooted in God’s grace, we learn to love with patience, sacrifice, and
hope.
Lord,
soften our hearts, strengthen our commitments, and help us love as You
love—faithfully, generously, and with an open heart. Amen!
