Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-03-01 / 3-4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 9 Between Endearment and Alienation Scripture reading: John 15:12-17 “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) and “There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) The outdoor activities are rather restricted in January, which is one of the coldest months, so we are forced to spend more time indoor and closer to each other. But does this “closeness” mean only physical proximity or also emotional nearness? When two people are really close to each other they are friends. One of the many blessings that money cannot buy after happy family life is true friendship. Friendship Elevated to the Highest Level Please remember the ascending degrees of love: 1.) I love you because I profit by it, 2.) I love you because it is nice to be kind and good-hearted, 3.) I love you because it is the advantage of both of us, and 4.) I love you because it is for your benefit even if I lose. In the Greek language the word “FRIEND” comes from the same root as love (philos) like Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Nobody can deny that the author of the book of Proverbs was (is) correct, please see our text, however, how much more is expressed by Jesus when He said: “Greater love has no man...” Please see our text again, when our Lord used the self-sacrificial love (agape) for the “Greater love” and the beneficial love (philos) for friend. Many complain about the woes of our modem and sophisticated life and perhaps one of the problems is that we live in a “friendless society” because we do not need each other any more. The substitutes are: money, luxuries, entertainment, hobby, pets, car, TV computers, counseling since they can occupy our time and mind as well as fill up the gap of yearning for companionship. But this is also known and bitterly experienced by many: you can kiss a dollar but a dollar will not kiss you back. A remark from an elderly person, “We did not have money for a psychiatrist, we had a good friend.” Why can a friend by so “precious”? Just mentioning what we like the most in a friend: we can confide and trust in him/her, also we can depend on him/her. A friend is someone who knows you well and still loves you. You can have many classmates, colleagues, neighbors, but a true friend is a soul mate. Now we understand why Jesus wishes to become your friend too. The first requirement of true friendship is, it should be mutual and bilateral because unrequited and lopsided friendship will fade away soon. Our Lord practiced what He taught, because He was blamed: “a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Mt. ll:19/b. He even called Judas a friend. Mt. 26:50. What Great, Wise, and Devoted People Said About Friends and Friendship • To God, thy country, and thy friend be true. - Henry Vaughan, Rules and Lessons, No. 8. • Prosperity makes friends and adversity tries them. - Publilius Syrus, Maxim 872. • Unless you bear with the faults of a friend you betray your own. - Publilius Syrus. • God evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or powerful or great, but He does intend us all to be friends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson. • This definition of a friend won the prize in England: “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.” - Grace Pulpit, Grace Methodist Church, Atlanta GA. • A friend is a person with open arms in an armless society. • If you were another person would you like to be friend of yours? • Friendship is a responsibility, not an opportunity. • If you have one enemy you need several friends because hatred is more forceful than love. • “What is love? Two souls and one flesh; friendship? Two bodies and one soul.” Joseph Roux, Meditation of a Parish Priest, Rt. IX, no. 31. Rev. Alexander Jalso Dear Supporter and Friends of the Bethlen Home, At a recent morning meeting of the nursing home’s senior staff, a special visitor walked in. She was the sister of one of our long term residents. In her hand was an envelope containing a monetary Christmas gift the resident had received in the mail. The message conveyed by the sister was that the resident would like to see this gift go to the Bethlen Home, in support of the construction project which has finally begun. “Merry Christmas!” The sister said as she handed Pat Armel (Director of Marketing and Development) the envelope. “May this gift help bring about the new home we have all hoped for.” It is a privilege and a joy for me, on behalf of the entire Bethlen Home Community, to wish all of our Friends and Supporters a Blessed New Year! May our Lord, Jesus Christ, bring anew into all of our lives that sense of deep peace and fulfillment, which we all seek. Here in Ligonier, our joy has increased, because construction of the new nursing home has finally begun. I look out my office window and see the earth moving machines at work, preparing the way for the sewer, water and other utility lines which need to be laid. The long-awaited dream has begun to materialize, the hopes of so many are being fulfilled. We thank you, once again, for the many prayers of support, the words of support and the donations in support of and for this project. We will continue to keep our supporters and friends informed as to the progress being made. For now, may everyone enjoy the anticipated coming of spring! And may God bless all! In Gratitude and in Love, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan
