Spiritual Friendship Lasts

When a man begins to perceive the love of God in all its richness, he begins also to love his neighbor with spiritual perception.  This is the love of which all the scriptures speak.  Friendship after the flesh is very easily destroyed on some slight pretext, since it is not held firm by spiritual perception.  But when a person is spiritually awakened, even if something irritates him, the bond of love is not dissolved; rekindling himself with the warmth of the love of God, he quickly recovers himself and with great joy seeks his neighbor’s love, even though he has been gravely wronged or insulted by him.  For the sweetness of God completely consumes the bitterness of the quarrel.

 — from The Philokalia, Vol. 1, by St. Diadochos of Photiki (5th Cent.)