“St. Ambrose whose feast we just celebrated was a holy bishop of Milan, Italy who wrote many inspiring letters. He says, you should not abandon a friend in need. In a letter , on the Duties of the Clergy (newsadvent.org) Ambrose focuses on friendshipand remaining faithful to your friends. In particular, he explained the importance of remaining faithful to friends, in good times and in bad. Do not desert a friend in time of need, nor forsake him nor fail him, for friendship is the support of life … If friends in prosperity help friends, why do they not also in times of adversity offer their support? Let us aid by giving counsel, let us offer our best endeavors, let us sympathize with them with all our heart. If necessary, let us endure for a friend even hardship. St. Ambrose firmly believed that friends are a vital part of life, especially having friends with whom you can share everything” – quote by St Ambrose At times it is difficult to keep a friendship going. From experience, you have seen the ups and downs of remaining too close and bonded. You ponder on why did the encounter and embrace change? When went wrong? We do not have to look far for Judas was a living example. Betrayal, desire, envy, jealousy and stiff competition of wanting to outdo the other is a lingering tumour that does not shrink. Very often your trusted friend who shared everything with you can turn against you and use the friendship as a weapon piercing your heart. Naturally, it is wholesome to preserve the friendship knowing that in this life there is one to whom you can open your heart, with whom you can share confidences, and to whom you can entrust the secrets of your heart. It is a comfort to have a trusted friend by your side, who will rejoice with you in prosperity, sympathize in troubles, encourage in persecution. The recent turn of events in the world have distance friends away for they may eat into your time, become dependent and cling on to you. This is the real test of time. However, there are some friendships that can be salvaged so when a friend reaches out to you and needs your help, do what you can to support them, being a true friend to them.