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An Irish proverb says “A good friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find and
lucky to have.” What does a friend mean to you? Merriam-Webster Dictionary
defines a friend as, “a friend whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of
affection.”
I have had many friends over the years, some I am closer to than others. But I
have a best friend that I have had for approximately forty years. Even though we
currently live in different cities, we have been together through good times and
through difficult times. When one of us needs to hear a laugh, a prayer, or an
encouraging voice, we know that at the end of the phone line is a friend. We have
knitted together and shared our dreams and failures but no matter what we are
there for each other.
This week has been the lying in state of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney,
18thPrime Minister of Canada. He made a friend from the waiter in the restaurant
to Presidents and Queens. Of the thousands of people who came out to show
their respect, people repeatedly commented that no matter what side of politics
you were on, he was a friend first. If you had a need, there would be an
encouraging phone call from him. That is quite something to say in these times.
This week is Holy Week, as we observe Jesus’ death on the cross and
resurrection. In Mark 14-16, we see Jesus go from Gethsemane to his trial, then
the cross, His burial and His resurrection, The disciples desert him first, and
Peter denies him. However, there were three women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James and Salome: who were with Jesus at the crucifixion and then
after his death bought spices for his burial and were the first to realize that Christ
had risen from the dead. These ladies were then told by the angel to tell the
disciples. They took care of the Lord at a time when it wasn’t safe. But because
of what Jesus had done for them on earth they took care of him through death
Jesus said in John 15:13 “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends.”
Jesus showed us what being a true friend means. This Easter as we celebrate
our risen Lord, may we think of what His friendship means to us, that He was
crucified and rose again for our sins.
CELEBRATE OUR RISEN LORD!