Spiritual Friendship: Learning to Be Friends with God and One Another

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Spiritual Friendship

Have you ever intentionally tested a friend or potential friend for the four characteristics suggested by Aelred: faithfulness (3.62−67),

intentions (3.68−71), good judgement (3.72), or patience (3.73)? If so, how did the test go? Would you pass these tests if someone was testing you for a possible friendship?

In 3.75, Aelred uses an analogy from the business world to argue that we should take at least as much care about investing in

friendship as we do when making financial investments. What habits are important for making wise financial decisions? How are these habits similar or different from those needed to form wise friendships?