Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" ... John 15:13-15

Recently I was asked to speak at the memorial service of a lifelong friend, sharing personal recollections of that special kindred relationship. We had lived across the street from one another, went to school together, played together. In our teens we worked side-by-side on a farm one summer; and, later still, in high school we double-dated. As inevitably happens, though, we fell out of contact once I had moved away from our hometown, Downingtown PA, staying in touch only with an exchange of birthday and Christmas cards. Happily though, in this past decade --- now in the "September of our years" --- we became close friends once again. We corresponded frequently by email, called each other on the phone just to chat and hear one another's voice, and we got together for lunch from time to time so we could see how well we were aging, I guess!

Well, those of us who spoke at his memorial service shared this common theme: He was truly a good and true friend. It seems to me the term "friend" is used rather loosely these days. A casual acquaintance can become "my new friend." My dictionary says a friend is "a person who knows and likes another." More accurately, Ralph Waldo Emerson observes, "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud," I certainly agree with that definition. I am blessed in having a great number of acquaintances I have fewer real friends, though; fewer still, good friends; and very, very few great friends. And I am thankful for all these many acquaintances and friends.

I've heard it said that a good friend will do anything for you; a great friend will do it without being asked. Not a bad definition. I am blessed by having several great friends, one of whom is my wife Margot. And there's another one, a supremely important one. As a Christian Believer, I am reassured in the certain knowledge that I have always had, shall always have, a truly, truly great friend ... Jesus Christ. As He said,"greater love has no man than this, that he lay down is life for his friends." Christ's love was not only in his words but also in his sacrificial death. Thank you Lord Jesus for being my friend.

The latter part of the 2nd verse of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," proclaims:

"Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer."

O God, who, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, dost pour the gifts of thy love into the hearts of the faithful: Grant unto all our friends, for whom we entreat thy clemency, health of mind and body; so that they may love thee with all their strength, and in gladness accomplish all things pleasing to thee; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Collect #38 from the Service Book and Hymnal

Contributed by Jack P.
Published Sunday August 15, 2004
Week 38 of Liturgical Year C