GOD OFFERS US FRIENDSHIP  

December 11, 2024 – Wednesday Second Week of Advent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121124.cfm)

Why do we feel more at ease, comfortable and open to a friend in sharing and disclosing our most sensitive stories? What would be the reason that we find comfort after sharing our burdens and struggles to a friend? Yet, we feel more distressed when we keep things alone in our heart.

Such comfort that we experience from the presence of a friend whom we can truly trust, gives us the assurance that we are not alone in life. Even though, our friend may not understand fully what we are going through, but the mere presence of someone whom we know cares about us can appease our troubled hearts.

It is from this human experience of closeness and friendship that we too are invited today. Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, said to the multitude of people, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is an invitation from the Lord that we come to him so that we may be free from the burden of guilt, shame and sin, from our anxieties and worries.

Yet, this invitation of God is not to be understood in a magical way because there might be a tendency in us to demand God to take away immediately the burdens we carry. This happened to the people at the time of Prophet Isaiah. The people who were in exile grew weary and hopeless because of their long wait of the Messiah. However, the Lord does not offer us magic to make our struggles disappear at once.

In fact, the Lord God offers us the gentle, empowering and compassionate friendship. This is what Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” The yoke that symbolizes the burden we carry, is to be carried with Jesus. The Lord wants us to understand that we carry those burdens together and learn his kind of friendship. This is the friendship that the Lord invites us.

Moreover, Jesus also assures us, “for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” This means that when we are with our friend, burdens become lighter. Life, though might be difficult for us at the moment, but, when our friend sits beside us, we feel assured that we are not alone.

This is how we shall experience strength and courage as Isaiah reminds us, “they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength.”

Hence, as we continue to prepare our hearts this Christmas and allow the Lord to be our dearest friend, in return, let us also be a true friend to our friends. As the Lord comforts us with his friendship, let us also offer and give a comforting presence to our friends. Let not our grudge, jealousy and insecurity ruin our friendship. Avoid gossips and intrigues that will only ruin the reputation and image of our friend.

As we offer, build long and healthy friendship, may this relationship be a mirror of God’s compassionate, gentle and empowering friendship with us. Hinaut pa.