Avant-propos - Studia Moralia

THE HEALING ROLE OF FRIENDSHIP 69
ship, Aelred asks Walter to read the paper containing Aelred’s
and Ivo’s earlier discussion on its nature and origins. 16 Just as
Walter befriends Ivo through the act of reading, so too the readers
of De spiritali amicitia get to know those conversing throughout
its pages. This bond with the characters of the text should
awaken in readers a desire to taste the sweet fruit of spiritual
friendship in their own lives and to be more keenly attuned to
the invisible presence of Christ in their midst.
Theological Context: Creation, Fall, Redemption
In addition to the above literary context, Aelred provides
some important theological parameters for understanding his
teaching on the healing role of friendship. These parameters
concern the Christian doctrines of creation, humanity’s fall, and
redemption in Christ.
1. Creation. In his discussion with Ivo in Book One about the
nature and origin of friendship, Aelred states that God “…has
willed that peace encompass all his creatures and society unite
them.” 17 Every level of creation reveals some trace or vestige of
that unity. A look at inanimate creation, for example, reveals
that the earth produces not a single stone, but many, while
forests contain not a single tree of a single kind, but a great number
of different species. For Aelred, such variety reveals that a
certain love of companionship has been imprinted into the very
nature of the inanimate world. 18 Much the same can be said for
animate life. Although they are irrational, by nature, a look at
the way animals run, play, and enjoy each other’s company almost
makes one want to believe that they are acting with reason.
Their enjoyment of one another’s company is another sign that
the love for companionship has been implanted in their natures.
19 Even immaterial beings such as angels delight in each
16 DSA 2:7-8 [CCCM 1:303(50-59); SF 71].
17 DSA 1:53 [CCCM 1:298(300-2); SF 62].
18 DSA 1:54 [CCCM 1:298(305-10); SF 62].
19 DSA 1:54-55 [CCCM 1:298(310-18); SF 62-63].