Friends and Fidelity

The concept of fidelity as the strict observance of promises and duties is not as easy value to integrate into our life style. The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present some arguments to consider a path of fidelity. The Wisdom of Sirach describes the characteristics of that most valuable gift, a true friend. The passage differentiates between faithful friends who are one in a thousand and those who may sit at your table and disappear when friendship is demanding. The psalmist praised the statutes of the Lord for the great guidance they provide. The discovery, development and the deepening of true friendship is a blessing that may be easier to see to hindsight than as it happens. The declaration of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark about the fidelity expected in marriage has been difficult to achieve in practice. The call or vocation of married life perhaps requires a spiritual discernment by the friends to reassure that the power of a relationship with the Divine is also present in the preparations which the couple makes to be “happy ever after”. This insight from the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of the Divine offers the possibility to embark on a blessed union wherein fidelity is a treasured value and practice. Fidelity is a challenge. Challenge is the path of those seeking intimate life in true infinite relationships.