RHODE ISLAND—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano sent this dispatch back from the Fifth Convocation of Priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport now underway in Newport, Rhode Island. The convocation is held every three years and more than 200 diocesan priests are attending the three-day retreat.
“Of One Heart and Mind: Brothers United in Christ,” is the theme of this year’s convocation.
In this Facebook reflection Bishop Caggiano reflects on yesterday’s keynote address given by Bishop James Massa, the Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn.
“It was a very fine and thoughtful presentation of the need for fraternity among priests- a fraternity that flows not simply from good will but from the very nature of priesthood. One of his main points was to remind us that by virtue of our ordination, each priest is marked (“sealed”) with the grace of the Holy Spirit to be “a man for others”. Such a disposition necessarily includes a fraternal relationship with his brothers in the presbyterate.
One of the images that Bishop Massa used is that of “friendship”. More specifically, he explored the idea of friendship that unfolds in the Gospel of John, culminating with the famous saying by Jesus, on the night before He died, that his apostles were no longer to be called His servants but His friends. The bishop indicated that there are two traits that emerged for true friendship in Saint John’s Gospel. The first is the willingness to speak openly, honestly and boldly with a friend.
True friendship demands open, honest communication that allows a friend to bear his or her heart, including all one’s fears and dreams, to another person without fear of being rejected. Jesus Himself spoke directly and honestly with everyone around Him. True friendship demands the same honest communication.
The second trait is the willingness to offer sacrificial love on behalf of one’s friend. The Bishop noted that many philosophers have spoken of such love but Jesus alone actually lived it, by offering His life freely on the cross for you and me.
Those who wish to share true friendship must follow the Lord’s example and be ready to love one’s friend in a truly sacrificial manner. Practically, this means a life of accompaniment, patience, forgiveness and mercy. To offer less than such love would be to seek less than the friendship that Jesus offers to us.
The bishop’s comments have given me much to reflect upon. Given the richness and beauty of true friendship, it is no wonder that the Scriptures speak of a true friend as being a “treasure”.
