"A friend in need is a friend indeed." Familiar old aphorism. Do you believe it? Do you UNDERSTAND IT? For a long time, I did not - it is not the clearest. I wondered why in the world someone who is in need should be considered a genuine friend. Instead I rather agreed with whichever wag adjusted the saying to "A friend in need is a PEST!" Finally I realized that the original version meant that a friend to YOU when YOU are in need is a friend indeed. AHA! THAT I believe.

Of course, the gospel expects Christians to befriend those who need help. The Good Samaritan story pops to mind. Juxtapose that with our ongoing FRIENDSHIP MONTH at St. Paul, the annual Greensboro CROP Walk this afternoon, the reappearance of World Food Day on the calendar this Thursday, and a focus on FRIENDS who happen …