WHO IS(ARE) MY REAL FRIEND(S)?

It is common to hear among the existentialist philosophers that man is a being with others. Also, Aristotle summarises that a man who cannot live with others in a community is either a beast or a god. No man is an island. Maybe this is why we come into contact with others whom we generally call friends 👍🏻👍🏻.

My dear friend(s), let me ask you this important questions: Before you call someone your friend, have you ever made an assessment of that person? Can you tell for sure who are your fair-weather friends and who are your faithful friends? How close are the two of you? What makes you think s/he is a good friend?

Well, the answers to these fundamental questions are embedded in Sirach 6, 5-17. The author of the book says,  "When you gain a friend,  gain him through testing,  and do not trust him hastily."

Are you shocked? Now, listen to his description of the several types of fair-weather friends that you need to be wary of: "For there is a friend who is such an his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. And there is  a friend who changed into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace. And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble... "

The end of the passage gave us hope when it records that "a faithful friend is an elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find him. Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbour also." All hope for a faithful friend is not lost🙏🏻🙏🏻.

Now, let us turn the questions to ourselves: Are we also a faithful friend to others? Am I faithful to my husband or wife? Do I see my partner as a friend? Am I a gossip, cheat and friend breaker? Do I smile in front of my friends and stab them behind? After reading this reflection, do I hope to change?

My dear friend(s), these are some of the questions you and I must answer before we eat good food today.. 😜😜. For your information, I have answered mine, that is why I am enjoying my chilled pineapple juice. Are you jealous already?

Do what is needful.. I am leaving you here. Hope to see you tomorrow, God willing. Happy weekend!

Buongiorno
Rabbi