*”There are but few real friendships on earth. Often people love each other from caprice or self-interest. Then a little coldness, a word, a want of attention separates friends who seemed inseparable. That is because God is not in possession of their souls; only hearts that are overflowing with the love of Jesus can give of their superabundance to their friends. All friendship that is not rooted in God is false and is not lasting. But when Jesus takes possession of a heart, it can love and do good to its friends, because it has in it the source of pure and unalloyed friendship. All the rest is human and nothing else. Always have a higher aim than those of the earth, which is worldliness.” 

Friendship’s Prayer

by Annie Johnson Flint

Call him thy friend who laughs with thee
When laughter is thy choice,
The rose-wreathed cup who quaffs with thee
When bidden to rejoice;

But fain would I do more for thee
And this the test and sign,
If thou dost love me, pour for me
Life’s wormwood not its wine.

Pain’s dreary vigils keep with me
When jest and mirth are flown,
In silence let me weep with thee
When thou dost weep alone;

Thy darker moments share with me
When pleasure fails thy need,
Thy burden let me bear with thee
And crown me friend indeed.

*An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory ~ Published by  The Reparation Society of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.