BNA Magazine

Marco Valerio Macial, a first century poet wrote “Do not befriend anyone too much: you will have less joy, but also less strife.” I would like to imagine the life of this poor poet, a life so simple, sad, without emotion. With no one by his side to help him in difficult times of sickness, or of need, I can imagine that he had no one to share his happiness or his sadness, his fears, curiosity, his goals and dreams, with no one to laugh with or cry. If this poet was true to what he wrote he must have been the saddest of all the poets.

Why do I say this? Because I believe that a human being is a being of relationships, whom has been created to communicate. We have not been created to live alone. We are humans with a need to share, to be identified, understood, loved and listened to. As the saying goes: “One of the joys of friendship is knowing who you can trust.” Alessandro Marzoni.

In these recent times we have heard of so many suicides. People who in a single moment of desperation have ripped their life away and many have done the same with their families at the same time. All this for not having someone, a friend who could listen and help carry them.

Marcus Tullius Cicero said: “What better thing then to have someone who you dare talk to as if you talked to your self?” Or like William Blake said: “The bird has his nest, the spider his web, a man has friendship.” Those are the words of wise people who found the best and truest treasure which is that of friendship.

We had a friend whose mom used to say in front of those who were his supposed friends. Remember son: first you, then you, and finally you. What kind of friend could someone be if they’ve only been taught to think of themselves over anyone else?

Jesus Christ himself was a friend to his disciples. John his beloved disciple would lay his head on his chest. He continued to love Peter and forgave him even though he denied him three times. He forgave Thomas even though he did not believe in the power of his resurrection. Judas had the opportunity to repent for turning him in. He called upon Mathew to follow him even though he was a thief, he cried when Lazarus died, even though he knew he would be resurrected.

I would dare say that a friend is: one who is with you in the good and the bad, or like my grandmother would say: “When you’re ripe and when you spoil.”  Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.” And Proverbs 27:9 “the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.”