The Gospel According to Matt

In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out.  By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.  Now that Charles [a good friend to Lewis and Tolkien] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald’s [Tolkien] reaction to a specifically Charles joke.  For from having more of Ronald, having him “to myself” now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald… In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious “nearness by resemblance” to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God.  For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. (from CS Lewis’ essay entitled “Friendship.”)

CS Lewis is saying that one cannot know themselves without properly knowing others.  In other words, we are not complete people without community—without friends.

In Philippians 1:3ff the Apostle Paul writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel.”

I am truly grateful for those friends who help me to be “me,” who are strong where I am weak, who lift me up when I am down; those friends for whom I grieve when we are apart, who are indeed closer than family and have thus become family.  Such friends bring joy that is unexpressible and partnership that is unbreakable.  Such friends are a rare treasure, a pearl of great price, and one of my great hopes for Heaven.