Don't Have Any Friends?

We often use the term “friend” loosely, introducing casual acquaintances as “My friends Lucy and John.” But what is friendship, really?

In this video, Fr. Mike uses Aristotle’s three kinds of friendship—pleasant friendships, useful friendships, and virtuous friendships—as guidelines. While all three can be good, the first two can end up being flimsy and fleeting; but the third kind, virtuous friendships, really get to the heart of what good friends are to us. They are on the same mission, they have many of the same goals, we can even kind of see another self within these friends.

Fr. Mike emphasizes the need for us to have more of these kinds of friendships, saying that if we don’t think they matter we may just be distracting ourselves from our loneliness.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

[briankelly]

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out...

[charlest]

I have been laughed at and left out my whole life by people who I thought were my friends but Jesus has helped me through it all.

[robert_mn]

When I was younger, I rarely felt lonely no matter how isolated I was but as I've gotten older, I have found I desire close friendships more and more.

[lynnehood]

I was married for 31 years to a man who would not be my friend. It was the most lonely experience of my life . I waited and waited and waited, then I found distractions, my children and my work and then my children grew up and I found myself running out of runway. I realized that I lived a role as a a character in in the lives of other people I leaned hard on my faith and I left that marriage. He remarried immediately and I was affirmed that I was not special. He never intended to be my friend. I filled a role in his life and I was not loved. I am so grateful that I realized it before I ran completely out of life. Now I look at everybody through the prism of friendship. I don't have enough time left to squander on meaningless enterprises. I don't wait any more.

[tobit]

I have found my best friend to be my Guardian Angel.  I was bullied from grade school through high school.  So I found trusting people very hard. I feel God sent the Angels to comfort me.

[Dragon-pmkh]

I’m a Muslim but when I need enlightenment or advice I come here for it. 👊🏼

[jimbobhk]

I don’t have any friends nearby, but I went to a catholic mass for the first time the other day. And I shook hands with those nearby when we wished each other peace. Then I spoke with Fr. Marten for about an hour after and he gave me a few books on catholic doctrines and a rosary. It meant so much to someone who doesn’t get out much. I hope I can join you guys come Easter. In the meantime I’ll practice praying the rosary like Fr. Marten said.

[bleujay]

I have bad social anxiety, but also have a longing for friendship. I don’t like being around people and I like being at home, but I also feel so lonely and miss having a connection with people. My cousins have gotten married recently and they all had lots of bridesmaids and they all seemed so close and happy. I don’t even have 1 friend to attend my birthday let alone a wedding. 🥺

[zad]

A true friend is one who stays with you in your shame.

[eileen]

This IS a crisis. I'm very, very happy Fr. Mike is addressing this.

[danielleneri]

This hit me. The past two days, I have been feeling so alone. I am literally the only one maintaining my friendships. I don't have people in my life who really know me.

[pishquet]

I miss my family . They have all passed on . I found out who my friends were when I was in the throes of grief . Not one human, they were too busy running away, like death was contagious I turn my face to Jesus for comfort .

[abereagan]

My dad always says Jesus hung around liars, thieves, & prostitutes but i always tell him they gave that way of life up to be around Him. They didnt continue down that path.
I dont really have many if any friendships just because most of the people i know don't share the same fundamental beliefs of right and wrong.

[andrewjackson]

If you don’t have any time. Then you don’t have friendships. Dang Father Mike is also a philosopher.

[dawnmireles]

I never knew that having friendship was this important. I have gotten “burned” by so many people that I just look forward to each day even if it is without the company of friends.
September 12, 2022

[boink]

What is very brutal is that often people are judged on the quantity of friends they have. One should never judge people.

[charityrosewalker]

Thank you, Fr. This month, I have lost almost everyone I knew because all of my friends were Protestants and I was drawn back to the Church and decided to park myself in Her (this time, I’m not budging!). Even the few members of my family resist my faith. I will remain faithful regardless of my losses. I’m fine, though, simply because I was slowly swarmed by ladies at my parish (and I would be a fool to deny Jesus again). Friends are important, and they will come and go, but those of substance will stick around even in dry seasons. I may be in a “drought, ” but I know of a river...
Blessings.

[peterpelc]

This hit home. I realize that I don’t have any deep, personal friendships, and no close friends who are Catholic. I promise myself to start depending my relationships. I also hope that the Church does more to attract and keep young people in the church, because when I look around, I mostly see people aged 50 and above at Mass.

[melissafaulkner]

I was cheated on. I rely on my puppies and attending mass. Working on myself first 🙏🏼

[dennisbeers]

I'm white, Catholic and Republican and live California, so imagine how many friends I have? Zero!