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Intention

To receive Jesus’ offer of intimate friendship, which produces great joy as we walk closely with him.

Scripture

“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 15:14–15

“You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”

– James 2:22–23

“The LORD would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp.”

– Exodus 33:11

“The devious are detestable to the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.”

– Proverbs 3:32

Reflection

Jesus offers us an intimate friendship. What might this friendship look like?

One of the most beautiful reflections on friendship is bequeathed to us by Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430). It comes from his classic work entitled, The Confessions of St. Augustine (IV, X, 13):

“All kinds of things rejoiced my soul in their company — to talk and laugh, and to do each other kindnesses.

“To read pleasant books together. To pass from lightest jesting to talk of the deepest things and back again.

“To differ without rancour, as a man might differ with himself, and when, most rarely, dissension arose, to find our normal agreement all the sweeter for it.

“To be impatient for the return of the absent, and to welcome them with joy on their home-coming.

“These, and such-like things, proceeding from our hearts as we gave affection and received it back, and shown by face, by voice, by the eyes, and by a thousand other pleasing ways, kindled a flame which fused our very souls together, and, of many, made us one.”

Friendship is a great gift, freely given and received.

It is to talk and laugh, to be kind, to be good humoured and serious at times, to agree to differ, to forgive, to be fully present even amidst absence, to be affectionate not soppy, to experience unity — not uniformity — amidst diversity. As Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Friendship brings great joy. Proverbs 27:9 records, “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

Friendship with Jesus kindles the flame of the Holy Spirit.

Video

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, awaken the friendship of Jesus within us. Amen.

Author Bio

Bishop Tony Percy, born in 1963, was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1990. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology, specialising on the importance of private property and private initiative for the common good. After years of parish ministry, seminary leadership and service as vicar general, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney in 2025.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
3. Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

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