Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, was very fond of David. The friendship of David and Jonathan has inspired reflections over the years about the value and importance of friendship in the spiritual life. I have on my desk this saying of twentieth century writer Simone Weil: “Nothing among human beings has such power to keep our gaze fixed ever more intensely upon God than frienship among the friends of God.” In the medieval period Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: “We find rest in those we love. and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us.” In a more modern period St. Francis de Sales said, “Love your neighbor, dear reader, with a great, charitable love, but befriends only those with whom you can be mutually supportive in virtue. The higher the virtues that you put into these relationships, the more perfect will your freindship be.” Finally from C.S. Lewis: “Friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.” Let your friends know how much you appreciate them today.
