At the Rimini Meeting: Themes of Friendship in the Bible

The Bible speaks explicitly about friendship and also provides some glowing examples, each one different from the other. We will examine both in the traditional “Reading the Bible with Joseph Weiler” event. Here are some examples of explicit teachings: A friend always loves; he is born to be a brother in misfortunes (Proverbs 17:17). There are companions who bring ruin, but also friends who are more loving than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Faithful are the wounds of a friend, fallacious the kisses of an enemy. Perfume and incense gladden the heart, the sweetness of a friend reassures the soul (Proverbs 27:6,9). And here are some examples of deep friendships: Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan; and of course Jesus to his apostles: You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I no longer call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master does, but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from the Father I have made known to you (John 15:14-15). The topic will be explored by Joseph H.H. Weiler, University Professor at NYU Law School and Senior Fellow at the Center for European studies at Harvard. Stephen Alberto, Professor of Theology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, will introduce. To learn more, click here.