Sometimes the best medicine is having an old friend around. Jesus understood this, especially when Lazarus died. Mary and Martha needed him, but he also needed them. Having friends around gives us a chance to mourn, but also to celebrate life as we tell the stories both of the one who has died and of the friendship that brings us together.
O God, friends are so very important to us, especially in the ups and downs of life. Today we thank you for friends who sustain us, who challenge us, who celebrate with us. We thank you for old friends, whose memories are dear to us. We thank your for new friends, and the excitement of learning new things about each. And we pray that as we are friends to others they will feel our love and care as we feel yours.....................