Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song. — Psalm 33:1 and 3

Mass Readings: Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Luke 1:39-45 

Friends 

When the sound of Mary’s greeting reached Elizabeth’s ears, something absolutely new was born into the world: Christian friendship. I think friendship is vastly underrated, and I think the world starves for it because eros (romantic love) gets all the press. Lovers stand face-to-face. Friends stand side-by-side, admiring something together. 

Some of the most nourishing relationships I’ve ever known were friendships, not romances. The thrilling discovery Mary and Elizabeth shared of realizing they were caught up in the glory of being the only ones who knew who was in Mary’s womb was a different, but real, sort of love: the love of friends. The joy of saying, “You too? I though I was the only one!” — and saying it about the encounter with Christ — has sustained countless saints down through the ages.

Prayer: Mother Mary and St. Elizabeth, pray for all Christian friendships to grow and flourish.