The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-06-23
CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.

The Apostles had been close friends
of Our Saviour, and to them He inn
parted His intention and His senti-
ments. From them Jesus now took
leave, and because of the things he
spoke to them sorrow had filled their
hearts, They realized that the hour
had at last come in which they must
part ~Withs their divine friend. This
parting of Our Lord with His Apostles
offers occasion to speak on the sub
ject OF Christian friendship. Friend
ship is usually brought about by a
companionship of one with another Of
equal age, rank and inclinations, each
having soney good qualities and yir-
tues which the other recognizes and
admires. There may be comradeship
among wicked people, but true friend
ship is possible only among the right
eous. 1t originates in the esteem Of
good traits found in a companion. No
true Friendships can prevail among
spendthrifts, idlers and sensualists,
for they are not concerned about
themselves, and much less about
others. The same can be said of the
hypocritical, ungovernable and the
jealous-minded. There can be no
friendship among the wicked; they
may be chums as far as their in
terest or seifishness finds advisable
and profitable, but that is not friend
ship. Furthermore, friendship is not
found among the scoffers and the god
less; they lack faith, which is an in
dispensable quality in friendship.
Friendship depends furthermore
upon harmony of views and in
clinations. Friendship is loving
union in temporal and spiritual
things" The Apostles were pure and
God-fearing in mind and heart, and
therefore, they became the chosen
friends of Our Lord. A youth will
hardly select for his intimate friend
man much older than himself; a
learned man will not make a close
friend Of an uneducated person, how
ever much regard he may have for
the others virtue and noble charac-
ter. While it is therefore to our
credit if we possess friends, it is no
disgrace to be without an intimate
friend; it may be proof of our seeking
gree. To have many friends is not
of profit. Let one of thousand be
thy COUNSELOR Ecclus. vi 6. Char
ity is a duty; we must love every
body, even our enemies; friendship,
however, is not demanded, we can be
real friends only to few.
Friendship has also its duties and
obligations, and sometimes demands
even sacrifices. 1t we find evil traits
and vicious inclinations in friend
we must terminate this friendship;
for we are generally judged by the
character of those with whom we
associate, and we must avoid even
the suspicion of evil behaviour. II
the character of our friend is good
we must not be too eXacting in little
things. st. Francis de Sales: I'VE
must patiently bear the imperfections
of our friend" We are not perfect
and cannot demand this of others.
A friend must stand by his friend in
danger and need. Mutual assistance
is needful in human life. Even Our
Lord recognized this fact and COM
mended His blessed mother to the
care of ST. John. We must try and
sanctify one another. The tempter.
and the fiatterer use sweet words, a
true friend will not hesitate to tell
you an unpleasant truth about Your
self, though he will do it as gently
sas possible.
Good people long for friendship. It.
brings conaolation in suffering. f we
are calGmniafed, five are in great
need. a friend Ii A great solace and