Friendships

 "I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends." (John 15:15)

I need friends.  They keep me sane.  They help me with honesty.  They give encouragement.  They love unconditionally.  This Sunday I will be preaching on the scripture where Jesus commands that we love one another.  That is exactly what friends do… it is also what we are called to do with all people. 

As a Pastor it is very hard to have close friends… especially in the church, as we are to keep strong boundaries.  We are literally taught that anyone associated with the church is to considered a parishioner and friendships  must be limited.  Now I do have several real close friends that I went to high school with that I meet up with on a regular basis.  I grew up with these guys and they are like brothers to me.  We are there for each other for every large milestone in life such as the death of parents or weddings for our children.  We also gather at least one time a year to do some sort of activity such as hiking or off-road travelling.  This is a testimony to the power and need for people and friends to gather. Each time I realize how important it is for me to keep these friendships.

James Hazelwood, a retired ELCA Bishop has a weekly blog where he wrote about his annual friendship excursions.  He writes,

“Friendships are as old as humanity, and the stories of friends, especially among men, permeate ancient religious literature.  From the earliest moments of human civilization, friendship has been a fundamental thread weaving together society. In the Hebrew Bible, the relationship between David and Jonathan stands as a profound example of deep human connection. Their bond is described in the First Book of Samuel as transcending blood ties, with Jonathan loving David "as his own soul," illustrating how true friendship can forge connections more potent than those of familial or tribal boundaries.

Ancient Greek philosophy further illuminated the communal significance of friendship. Aristotle viewed friendship as essential to the polis, arguing that human beings are fundamentally social creatures who can only fully realize their potential through meaningful relationships. The Greek concept of philia encompassed a broader understanding of friendship than our modern notion, recognizing it as a crucial element of ethical and political life.” 

Besides the Bible, there are many other religious writings that suggest that authentic friendship create emotional support, and these friendships offer steadfast support during life's most challenging moments. Texts such as the Quran emphasize the moral dimension of friendship, describing true companions as those who guide each other toward righteousness and compassion.

 Hazelwood also writes that in the Gospel of John, Jesus dramatically redefines friendship in divine terms, telling his disciples, "I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends" (John 15:15). This revolutionary concept suggests that divine love manifests through deep, reciprocal human connections.

I guess what Hazelwood is ultimately saying is that, friendship represents more than mere social convenience. It is a complex and multifaceted experience that connects us to our community, shapes our ethical understanding, and offers a mirror to divine love. Through friendship, we learn the most fundamental lessons of human existence: compassion, sacrifice, understanding, and connection.

My small group of friends are important to me. I do attempt to create strong relationships that I would also call friendships within the church… knowing that we have boundaries.  It is great to have people one can trust and share feelings and emotions.  I no longer call you parishioners but friends.  I feel I have made many strong friendships here at Beautiful Savior and I appreciate the love!  Thank You for making me a part of the family.  We will continue to build relationships here with one another!  I hope you have those you can call friends in this congregation too! 

We have activities like the up and coming camping trip to Catalina State Park in a few weeks.  Yes, we are going camping and it’s just outside our front doors!  I will be able to work out there as I am building even more friendships with you!  I can come back to the church for meetings if need too because it is so close.   It’s a wi- win situation to take this time with those who are joining the event.  Come !  I even have extra tents if you don’t have an RV!  Come and build some friendships that will feed your soul! 

Peace,

Pastor Tony