It’s true, even if we had all the success and wealth in the world, but were isolated and alone, we would be miserable. To be a true friend, however, we must be virtuous, for without virtue we are not able to be a good friend to others, to seek their good, and enjoy the highest things together.
Exodus 90 has transformed the lives of countless men throughout the world precisely because it is built around two essential pillars: prayer and friendship. The two are not unrelated. In John 15, Jesus says that he calls us friends, not servants. Prayer expresses this intimacy with God by approaching him and opening our hearts to him.
The God who is a communion of persons wants us to live in communion with him and to build communion with others in friendship.
During the month of July, Exodus 90 is offering a summer series on Holy Friendship led by Dr. John Cuddeback author of True Friendship: When Virtue Becomes Happiness. Dr. Cuddeback will lead daily reflections on the Gospel of John to help us meditate on our friendship with Christ and how this will help us to become better friends to others.
The disciplines of the Holy Friendship challenge focus on this growth. First, we will be checking in regularly with our fraternity anchor or another friend, encouraging regular conversation on the spiritual life. Second, we are planning summer gatherings with our family, friends, and fraternity to create time for communal recreation and leisure. Finally, we will be offering prayer and sacrifice specifically for our friends, knowing that through these intentional offerings we will be drawn closer to them in Christ.
Friendship is so important for the spiritual life that it deserves more attention. Especially in our digital age we can no longer take the fostering of deeper friendship for granted. Exodus 90 helps us to prioritize regular gatherings as Christian men, making space for experiences that incarnate brotherhood and deepen friendship.
Join Exodus 90 this July as our spiritual guide, Dr. John Cuddeback, leads us into the Gospel of John so that we can grow in friendship with Christ and one another.
