The past two chapters to me have seemed so intimate. They are chapters of honest friendship and honesty. Some of Paul's letters seem quite formal and instructional - these words seem like letters between people who care deeply about each other.
I stumbled across a new piece of church history this morning - stemming from the Celtic Church and the history of the Iona community in Scotland. To quote from today's reading from The Upper Room (short daily devotions published by Abingdon Press):
"Members of the ancient Celtic church looked for an aman cara -- a "soul friend." This could be a man or woman, lay or ordained, experienced in the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. The soul friend was someone who could give needed guidance, especially at crucial points in life. Legend has it that Saint Columba's soul-friend suggested that Columba win as many souls for Christ as had been lost in the battle he had caused. To do this, Columba left his native Ireland to found a Christian settlement on the Island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland." (written by Bill Findlay)
I see the hints of an "aman cara" friendship in this letter. And it resonnates because of the importance of a few aman caras in my own life.
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