LOVE-COMMITMENT-COMPASSION=COME TOGETHER

LOVE-COMMITMENT-AND COMPASSION
COME TOGETHER
( and sometimes PAIN)


TODAY we celebrate
The PRESENTATION of the
Baby Jesus to Simeon
And the prophet Anna


The Holy Spirit had revealed
To Simeon
That he would not die
BEFORE seeing the Messiah


“Simeon took him
In his arms-and PRAISED God-
Saying,
'Sovereign Lord-as you have promised
You may now DISMISS your servant
In peace-


For my eyes have seen
Your salvation
….....” Luke 2:28:30


Simeon goes onto tell Mary
About Jesus' love and compassion-
The rising and falling of Israel


And that a sword will
PIERCE her side too


It MAKES me think
Of my own Baptism
When I was a baby


On February 6^th, Of 1955
My own father and mother's
First wedding anniversary


And it makes me GIVE
Further thanks to my own FAMILY
For all the memories-with my parents-
My sisters-and my EXTENDED family
And friends


Thank You Lord for all the
Memories Lord-and
Thank you for all the
LOVE & COMPASSION your Son-brought


NOT to mention the PAIN
Of Jesus-the BLESSED MOTHER-
And the whole family


God's love-Jesus' love-
BRINGS love-commitment-and compassion
NOT to mention
ALL the pain
That comes with it


Today's liturgy-REMINDS US
That love REQUIRES commitment
The action that comes through
With the feeling


“Commit your WAY
To the Lord


Trust in him
And he will do this” Psalm 37:3


YES-he will love you
Through the pain
He is COMMITTED to-to us
To the world


“Commit to the Lord
WHATEVER you do


And he will ESTABLISH
Your plans” Proverbs 16:3


Yes-God is COMMITTED-Christ
IS committed to LOVE-
This world-FOREVER and ever


And the pain that COMES with it


“So then-
Those who suffer
ACCORDING to God's will


Should commit themselves
To their FAITHFUL CREATOR


And continue
To DO GOOD” 1 Peter 4:19


MARY heard Simeon's prediction
Of pain


Yet she did not
Withdraw her love
She and Jesus


STAYED committed to the MISSION
Of LOVE & COMPASSION


And carried it through
AS the HOLY FAMILY


MY FAMILY and friends did too
I hope and PRAY
Your family did as well


THAT IS what a HOLY FAMILY does
STAYS COMMITTED to LOVE & COMPASSION


In Jesus' name


Robert P. Wallman
2-1-17




Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.