When I experience real friendship, I am drawn to replicate my friends’ acts of responsiveness, generosity, and compassion because I now know that my real friend’s reliable hand is there in my moment of need. A trusted friend lends ears and heart to my deepest hopes and fears. An insightful friend speaks words of clarity as I am wading through the swamp of life’s confusions. My true friend travels hundreds of miles to celebrate with me life’s treasured moments, and sits, with arms around me, as I weep in the midst of life’s sorrows.

Each day, Jesus offers me his gift of transformational friendship. Do my words, actions, and life choices reflect that I am a beloved friend of Jesus?

—Russ Long is a parishioner and participant in the After the Spiritual Exercises program at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, the Jesuit parish in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me deepen my friendship with you.
Help me see the world anew with your eyes of care.
Let me offer your compassion to each person I meet.
May my spoken words be your words in each conversation.
Guide my actions to reflect your response to each person I encounter.
Soften and transform my heart to be one with your heart,
and, may my heart always abide within your loving heart.
Amen.

—Russ Long