😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you. One of the things that makes me smile in life is when you have an aha moment regarding basic life truths, such as friendships. If you’re reading this, I would guess that you have had enough interactions with people to realize not everyone is meant to be a lifelong friend. Our interactions with people span the entire spectrum. These are just things we experience, live through, and learn from…Right?
So, what is it about this that made me smile??? Well, there is so much packed into the Bible, that I can’t remember it all. I’ve read through the Bible completely twice (which is not near enough) and there are some sections that I’ve read so much that I’ve lost count. The part that makes me smile is when I realize that a basic life truth is not just that, it is also Biblical.
On Friday morning, as I was listening to the Mass readings, the first reading was Sirach 6:5-17. Realizing again that these truths of relationships/friendships are Biblical put a smile on my face and I knew I wanted to share this with you, in case it’s been a while since you’ve last seen this.
Sirach 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.
Something else I would like to share with you this week is Matthew Kelly’s Gospel reflection from Monday, 03/03/25. The Gospel reading is Mark 10:17-27. It’s the story of the rich young man that asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” I don’t recall hearing a Gospel refection before, that touches on this subject the way Matthew does. It made me pause and think. Click the link below. It’s just a little over 6 minutes.
Bless others and be blessed.
Shelly :0)
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#MatthewKelly – Your Story is Not Over
Third Day Devotions 
True then and maybe even truer today! ☺
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