S18 E24 - Friendship in the Lord: Covenant Love and Celibacy (Chapters 11 & 12, Epilogue)

In this episode, we conclude our book study on Friendship in the Lord and welcome Fr. John Burns, Founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, to the podcast. We reflect on our deep longing to be known and loved and the ways fear can cause us to cling to others or settle for lesser goods. We talk about hoping for the possibility of beautiful friendship, even when our own experience has been marked by loneliness, disappointment, or suffering. We also discuss the beauty of celibate friendship as a witness to the primacy of God's love, the role of feedback in relationships, and how the limitations we encounter in friendship ultimately reveal the deeper truth that we were made for God. Friends, we feel so blessed to have been able to journey with you this summer. We will see you on September 28th for the start of Season 19! Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to receive updates!   **Announcement:** - You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).   **Journal Questions:** - How has God moved my heart through this book study? - Where in my heart am I longing for more hope in my relationships? - How has this book study given me more hope for more friendships? - How am I avoiding suffering? - What are my relational patterns when I experience joy? Shame? Suffering? - How have I been tempted to idolize friendship by seeing a friend as my savior?   **Discussion Questions:** - What has resonated with you in the book? - How do you want to show up to your friendships differently? - What would it look like to have hope in difficult or painful relationships? - How are you seeking to grow in maturity in your friendships?   **Quote to Ponder:** "There is no true love without reverence. And reverence is always tender." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 115)   **Scripture for Lectio:** "He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled." (John 3:29)   **Sponsor - Ave Maria Press:** Enjoyed reading Friendship in the Lord this summer? Ave Maria Press has even more spiritual titles you'll love. Explore more Christian classics, find your next small group  book study or daily Advent companion, and discover guides to deeper healing and spiritual confidence. Ave Maria Press has curated a collection specifically for Abiding Together listeners—encounter your next meaningful read at avemariapress.com.   **Timestamps:** 00:00 Ave Maria Press 01:24 Intro 03:03 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote 06:10 Appreciation and the Fear of Being Alone 10:19 Hope for What Friendship Can Be 14:01 The Fear of Suffering 20:14 Becoming Who We Are Meant to Be 28:05 Self-Knowledge in Friendship 30:24 The Beauty of Celibate Friendships 38:47 Encountering Loneliness 43:52 Seeing Another's Potential 48:17 Closing Prayer