Helping others on their journey toward the Lord is one of the most noble missions of our existence. We want to go straight toward the Lord, and along the way we frequently encounter others who hesitate, who doubt, or who do not know the route. God gives us light for others: You are the light of the world13, the Master has said to all who follow Him. The closer we are to Him, the more light we have. When we Christians stay close to the Lord, when our friendship with Him is true, we are "bearers of the only flame capable of illuminating the earthly paths of souls, of the only brightness in which darkness, twilight, or shadows can never exist."—The Lord uses us as torches so that this light may illuminate… It depends on us that many do not remain in darkness, but rather walk along paths that lead to eternal life"14.
What a joy to have been the occasion for a friend to find their vocation, or for someone who was hesitating to be reaffirmed in their steps!
Many times what we read in the Book of Tobit happens: he went to look for someone to accompany him. Our friends must always find us ready to walk with them on the path that leads to God. Friendship will be the ordinary instrument that God will use so that many may draw closer to Him, or so that they may discover their call to follow Christ more closely. That is why those virtues that support friendly relationships with others are so important: exemplarity, joy, warmth, optimism, understanding, selflessness…
Sacred Scripture describes friendship as a treasure: A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his value15. Many people ought to be able to say that exact same thing about each of us: that we have been for them that faithful friend of invaluable worth, above all because our friendship always served to bring them closer to God and, in many cases, to help them discover and follow their own path—the one to which the Lord called them from all eternity.
Cor Mariae dulcissimum, iter para tutum. Most sweet Heart of Mary, prepare for them… prepare for us a safe path.
HCD