January 25

Maxims on Friendship

“A friend is another self.”

“God commands us to make friends so that we can help one another.”

“Our most intimate friends are those with whom we can share our innermost feelings.”

“If there were no friends in the world, there would be no joy.”

—Matteo Ricci, SJ, in Ignatian Humanism, Ron Modras

Friendship is a great gift in the Ignatian view. The Society of Jesus emerged from a circle of close friends who gathered around Ignatius. He thought that human friendship was one of God’s greatest gifts, mirroring the intimate relationship we have with God.

Who are your friends? What can you do to strengthen your friendships? Talk to God about this.