Apostolate of friendship

Anyone who does not see the apostolic and supernatural effectiveness of friendship has forgotten Jesus Christ: No longer do I call you servants, but friends (John 15:15). They forget as well his friendship with his Apostles, with his disciples, and with the family of Bethany, with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Moreover, they have forgotten those scenes which St John relates before the resurrection of Lazarus. We read, et lacrimatus est Iesus,¹⁴ and also the trusting words of the two sisters, who, wanting to tell Jesus about Lazarus’ illness, send him that message: Lord, he whom you love is ill (John 11:3).

My beloved daughters and sons, there are a number of texts in Scripture which speak of friendship, but I will mention only one, which appears in the first Letter of St Peter. In verse 13 of the fifth chapter, referring to Mark, St Peter refers to him as Marcus filius meus.¹⁵

Loyal friendship

Through our loyal and disinterested friendship, our apostolate of example becomes more effective. We must always give good example, not only to friends, but also to those who do not know us, and even to those who are hostile to us. With your example, each of you becomes another Christ, qui pertransiit benefaciendo et sanando omnes (Acts 10:38); who went about doing good and healing everyone.