Spending time with a friend is not a waste of time. It is what Jesus describes in the gospel of Luke (Luke 10:42) as the “better part” of living when He was visiting His friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany.

Busyness gets in the way of relationships when we put more emphasis and energy into “doing” rather than “being,” into achievement rather than love for one another.

The following story by Jack Bennett highlights the importance of spending time with a friend:

Over the phone, Jack’s mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through Jack’s mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

“He is the one who taught me carpentry,” Jack told his mother. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, Ill be there for the funeral.”

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

The house was exactly as he remembered. Every picture, every piece of furniture, neatly arranged in the same place. Except for one thing!

Jack stopped suddenly.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.

“The box is gone,” he said.

“What box?” Mom Asked.

“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was “the thing I value most.”

Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a package in his mailbox. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belser,” it read. Jack ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

“Upon my death, please forward this to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filled his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside, he found a beautiful, gold pocket-watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: “Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold Belser.”

“The thing he valued most was my time.” Jack muttered to himself.

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

“Why?” Janet, his assistant asked.

“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.

“Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!”

As you read this story, don’t forget to spend time with a friend. You may not be able to be present to your friend physically due to Corvid-19, but you can always talk with a friend on the phone. And, spend time also with your “forever friend,” listening to Him and meditating on His word in scripture. It will do you a world of good for He will show you how to treat all your friends with kindness.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy