FOLLOWING OUR LORD

FOLLOWING OUR LORD


When we are BAPTIZED=
As infants or as adults=
We are asked to
BE IMITATORS
Of our Lord


We are to FOLLOW the Lord
In LOVE=
And if we are to SUFFER
We are to UNITE
Our sufferings with the Lord's too


For the sake of ALL=
FOLLOWING OUR LORD!


“We are AFFLICTED
In every way


But not constrained=
Perplexed=but NOT
Driven to despair........” 2 Corinthians 4:8


In today's readings-
Both Paul and Jesus=REMIND us
That we will
SUFFER in this life


NOT a very cheerful message=
But it turns MORE POSITIVE=
We are also
PROMISED to have the GRACE
That we need=to get through it


“All this
Is for your benefit
So that the GRACE


That is reaching more
And more people


May cause thanksgiving
To overflow
To the glory of GOD” 2 Corinthians 4:15


IF we are living
For Christ=we are SUFFERING
For him and others too


Some of us suffer
Far more
Than others do


But if we suffer and
Live like Christ=we are
FOLLOWING in his footsteps=
We are LIVING the life
Like our LORD


“Moses summoned all Israel
And said=


'Hear Israel
The decrees and laws-
I declare
In your hearing today


Learn then
And be sure
TO FOLLOW THEM'” Deuteronomy 5:1


“Then Jesus said
To his disciples=
'Whoever wants
To be my disciples


Must deny themselves
And take up their cross
And FOLLOW ME” Matthew 16:24


Suffering is NEVER
A GOOD THING=but we are ALL
Going to suffering
In this life


We might as well
UNITE OUR SUFFERINGS
With our Lord
And FOLLOW HIM


Saint James=whose feast
We are celebrating today
Sought a heavenly GLORY
For both himself and his
Brother John


And it is believed=
He went on
To be the FIRST APOSTLE
Who was martyred for CHRIST


He learned what it meant
To suffer for our LORD


Today=dear LORD=we pray
That you give us WHATEVER GRACE
That we may need
To FOLLOW YOU


To LIVE in suffering for you
And others=and above all else
PLEASE GIVE US LOVE


In Jesus' name


Robert P. Wallman
7-24-20




Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Terence Hegarty