One of the most precious things in this world is having true friends. This is not Facebook friends that we count by the thousands or Instagram or Tweeter friends that can reach up to millions. Just hit rock bottom and you will be able to count the number of true friends that you have. When you have no longer have the power or the fame or the connection or simply put, when people cannot use you anymore, then whoever is still around, consider them your true friends. 

In the Gospel, Jesus was preaching in a house and then suddenly from the roof came a sick person who was being lowered by his friends. Why was the person healed? Because Jesus saw the faith of his friends. 

Faith and True Friends

1. True friends bring you closer to God. We have a saying, “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” Peer pressure can be very hard to resist. Virtue or vice, friends play a very important role. They can lead you astray or they could bring you to the right path. Prov 13:20 reminds us that “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of the fools will suffer harm.” 
2. True friends will not compromise the truth. Nowadays there is so much emphasis on respect to the point that even if the person is already in a state of sin, we keep quiet simply because of so called respect. A true friend will accept, will respect but will also speak out the truth. “I am your friend, but I do not approve of that relationship;” “I am your friend but that decision is not fair;” “I am your friend but I cannot go with you when it comes to those activities.” Remember, all it needs for evil to prevail is for good people to keep quiet.
3. True Friends pray for their friends. How often will you find people free of envy, gossip, and jealousy? When a person wishes you well in his or her own prayers, when a person desires that you be healed, when a person empathizes with you when you are down, when a person is happy for you when things are going well and when a person prays for you, consider that person a true friend.

In every Mass, let us remember:

• First, we contemplate on the Power of Prayer. God takes our prayers seriously.
• Second, people need people and yes, they need our prayers.
• Third, the prayer of the Church is very powerful. Hence, whatever season of life we go through, let us offer prayers.