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[Pastor Joelle]

Aelred of Rievaulx, January 12, 1167

Aelred was the son and grandson of Saxon priests in England. (At this
time married priests were still common in England, Scotland and
Ireland) He was educated at the court of the King of Scotland and had
prospects for a high position in the court. However he found his life
unsatisfying and at age 24 entered the monastery. He was appointed
master of novices, and was long remembered for his extraordinary
tenderness and patience towards those under his charge.

Aelred is known for his writing on friendship. At this time monks
were discouraged from having what was known as “particular
friendships” but Aelred disagreed and believed that friendships could
teach us about God’s love. He pointed to Jesus who had a small circle
of friends –Peter, James, John as well as Lazarus his sisters Martha
and Mary. He wrote a book on Christian friendship. In it he writes
how our love for friends can bring us and our friends more fully into
experiencing the love of Christ.

“thus ascending from that holy love with which he embraces a friend to
that with which he embraces Christ, he will joyfully partake in
abundance of the spiritual fruit of friendship, awaiting the fullness
of all things in the life to come”

According to Aelrod, the closeness we feel in intimate friendships are
a foretaste of the intimate relationship we will have with God in
heaven.

Pour into our hearts, O God, the Holy Spirit's gift of love, that we,
clasping each the other's hand, may share the joy of friendship, human
and divine, and with your servant Aelred draw many to your community
of love; through Jesus Christ the Righteous, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever