Daily Gospel Reflection

The Truth About Friendship

Welcome back to Radical & Relevant. Today we hear the story of the fig tree, and it's a story of fruitfulness and of faithfulness. Remember, each day we're just looking for a word or a phrase or an idea that the Holy Spirit uses to grab our attention so that we can live the gospel out through that word or phrase or idea. And Jesus told them a parable, "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." What jumps out at you today? Jesus talking about the signs, Jesus talking about how certain things are inevitable. I've told you before, any time Jesus repeats himself, that always captures my attention in looking for my word, my phrase, my idea. And so Jesus uses the phrase, pass away, not pass away. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." What is the point that he is trying to make? Could be many points. Could be deeply practical points. Could be deeply theological points.

But what are we interested in through this exercise each day reflecting on the gospel? We're interested in finding a way to animate our day with the gospel. And the simplest way for us to do with this phrase is to realize, "Hey, there are things in this life that are just fleeting. And there are things that will last our whole lifetimes." Sometimes they're material possessions. Sometimes it could be a job. I mean, a job can pass away. But your craft stays with you your whole life. Your craft is with you. And your skill, your talents, your abilities, they remain with you. They do not pass away, even things as crucial as friendship. Friendships are not forever. Some people, some friends come into our lives for a reason. Some friends come into our lives for a season. And some people come into our lives to form deep, lasting, lifelong friendships. But there are very few. I remember when I was a teenager, maybe 13, 14 years old, I was at the cricket with my dad. My brother was playing cricket, and I was sitting with my dad watching my brother play cricket. And I was having some drama with a couple of friends at school. And I can still see him, my dad reaching out. He's been dead more than 20 years. And I can still see my dad reaching out his hand like this and showing me his five fingers and saying, "Matthew, if you have five true friends in your lifetime you will be among the abundantly blessed." And I remember at the time thinking, "Wow. I've got lots of friends," right? But then life goes on and you realize, "Hey, some people who you thought were friends weren't really your friends. Some people are hanging out with you for the wrong reasons. Some people are trying to use you or manipulate you or take advantage of you." And then you also realize even people with the best of intentions, sometimes they just come into your life for a reason. Maybe you have a class together. Some people come into your life for a season. And then they go off, and you lose touch. And they do their thing, and you do your thing. But there are few, very few, who come into our lives and stay with us, create great lifelong friendships. Today, let's celebrate those lifelong friendships. Let's reach out to someone in our life who's been a great friend and thank them for their friendship. Have a great day. Remember, Be Bold. Be Catholic.