In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on what it means to be truly known, deeply loved, and fully at home with another. We talk about why we must first learn to abide in the love of God, how appreciation helps others become who they were created to be, and what it looks like to grow in friendship over time. Whether friendship feels life-giving or challenging in this season of your life, we invite you to bring every desire, wound, and longing before the Lord, who first calls you His friend.

Announcement:

You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

How is the Lord inviting me to cultivate deeper community where I live?
Where in my life am I trying to love others without being in communion with God?
Am I truly allowing the love of Christ to come out within a community?
Am I at home with the Lord?
How have I been possessive of my relationships within my community?
When have I experienced belonging within community?
How can I create more reverent space in my relationships to allow others to become?

Discussion Questions:

How is the Lord calling you to mission?
When you think about a friendship or marriage that you admire, what qualities of that relationship inspire you?
Who are the people in my life that I feel at home with?
How have you experienced possessiveness negatively impacting your relationships?
Where do you long for a deeper sense of belonging?
Which friends and relationships have played a role in helping you become who God has created you to be?

Quotes to Ponder:

"The mission of joy and friendship within the Christian community is even more fundamental than the Church's mission to the poor and needy, because love and joy are the source from which all ministry to the sorrowing must flow." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 7)

"The wonderful mystery which is you is not complete until you are appreciated." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 19)

Scripture for Lectio:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:12-15)

Sponsor - Ascension:

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Available in both Standard and Large Print formats, with three cover materials to choose from, The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition may be preordered as individual volumes or as the complete four-volume bundle. Volume II will begin shipping on January 1, 2027, in time for use beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.

Experience the beauty of the Church's daily prayer in an edition thoughtfully crafted to support prayer for generations. Preorder The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition at www.AscensionPress.com/Abiding.

Timestamps: 00:00 Ascension

01:32 Intro

02:18 Welcome

02:37 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

03:31 Mission Comes from Community

05:26 Abiding in God's Love First

10:42 The Feeling of Belonging

14:18 Appreciation is Necessary in Friendship

17:22 We Help Others Become Themselves

20:09 Intimacy is Being at Home with Someone

25:49 Being Attentive to Fear

26:59 Closing Prayer