A mark of greatness, which something to be proud of, is being a true friend and having trusted friends. We cannot do away ourselves with others. We are "social" being. We live with others. It is true to this adage, "No man is an island." that is why we need others to lean on. We need friends.

The subject of friendship has been talked and written about so much in secular literature. In fact, there are a lot of poem, songs, novel, drama and others about friendship. But too seldom do we discuss it as part of our faith. And yet, what would we do without Christian friends? The basis of our relationship with others is that we have been called Christ's friends (John 15:12-17).But friendship would not be limited to christian community alone, it's a universal language. It's applicable to the whole humanity whether you are christian, muslim, buddism, taoism, or atheist etc. Friendship has no exemption. It's a gift for the whole humanity.

In christian understanding, Jesus told us that the crucial ingredient in friendship with Him is doing His commandments. We are called to keep His commandments in our relationships with one another. This means needing Him more than our friends and never substituting time with them for quality time with Him. But it also means living His commandment to love one another as He has loved us. As I've expressed it often, "Christ is a friend who won't go away. Once we've experienced His quality of friendship, we can be that kind of friend to others."

This concept of friendship leads us to consider two unsung heroes of our faith -- a couple name Priscilla and Aquila. They were fellow workers who risked their necks in Paul's defense. Also, they were distinguished for the church in their home.
Whenever we meet this stellar couple on the pages of the New Testament, they are ministering to others. They not only helped question lingers: Is there anyone who would say about us what Paul said about them? For whom are we risking our necks in the name of Jesus?

reflection: Did you risks your neck for a friend?