SUFFERING=LOVE AND COMPASSION

SUFFERING=AND LOVE AND COMPASSION Lent started yesterday And lent is a time WHEN one man-suffered- And went to the CROSS for us And died If we are to LEARN anything At all-from LENT From Christ's suffering- From CHRIST'S life and his death It is that Lent is a time FOR RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS “This rather-is the fasting- That I wish: RELEASING those bound unjustly Untying the thongs Of the yoke; SETTING FREE the oppressed........” Isaiah 58:6 As I said LENT is a time For RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS Restoring relationships with family members- friends-and even our enemies IF possible For if any of us Are suffering WE are ALL SUFFERING We are all interconnected “But those who suffer He DELIVERS in their suffering He speaks to them In their affliction” Job 36:15 “For he has not despised- Or scorned The suffering of the afflicted one He has NOT hidden his face From him But he has listened To HIS CRY for help” Psalm 22:24 “REMEMBERING-Jesus Christ Raised from the dead Descended from David This is MY GOSPEL For which I am suffering Even to the point Of being chained Like a criminal But GOD'S WORD Is not chained” 1 Timothy 2:8 The GOSPEL of Christ IS FREE-And if we are True believers WE too are free-and yet as Christians We continue to suffer For any of a variety Of reasons Recently I had a MISUNDERSTANDING With a DEAR FRIEND-of mine Perhaps my best friend I RESPONDED in a prideful-sinful way And for that I am sorry- In addition to the hurt I caused this particular person As CHRISTIANS we should ALWAYS RESPOND in a kind-compassionate- AND LOVING WAY Sometimes-it is easier said Than done “What a person desires Is UNFAILING LOVE Better to be poor Than a liar” Proverbs 19:22 “The Lord is gracious And COMPASSIONATE SLOW to anger And rich in love” “The Lord is GOOD to ALL He has COMPASSION On all He has made” Psalm 145:8 & 9 And so today Lord WE PRAY For all those suffering From the breakup of relationships For if any ONE of us suffers We all suffer We are all INTERCONNECTED Dear Lord=PLEASE use Our prayers-our fasting- And our alms giving To make things RIGHT Between us INCLUDING this nation and our world We want to work COLLECTIVELY To establish The freedom and JUSTICE That Christ came for Dear Lord=help us to LOVE AND CARE For our neighbors and our enemies And LOVE AND BE COMPASSIONATE to all Robert P. Wallman 2-11-16=INSPIRED by Sister Julia Walsh, F.S.P. A.=LIVING FAITH Magazine