DUTY

 

“DUTY”

 

In the Xth Chapter

Of Saint John’s Gospel

Jesus talks about

2 kinds of shepherds

The hired hand

And the Good Shepherd

 

The hired hand

Is not a bad man

But when the wolf attacks

He abandons the sheep

 

Jesus is our Good Shepherd

And when life’s problems attack

Health, money, and relationship problems

He does not abandon us

 

He gives us his life and love freely

He knows

Each and every one of us

By our own name

 

Life puts certain demands and expectations

On all of us

We all have certain obligations

Put on us

 

But Jesus teaches us

To go on to another dimension

And to live

Our lives out of love, compassion, and forgiveness

To go beyond our duty

And to give our lives freely

To each other

 

Like he did for us

On Calvary

 

Jesus doesn’t expect us

To always succeed

He knows at times

We will fail

And we will fall

 

All he asks of us

Is that we keep on trying

 Keep getting back up

And trying, and trying, and trying again

And so Dear Good Shepherd

We ask you

You who have never abandoned us

To please give us

The grace and courage

To always keep on trying

And to never abandon you

 

Robert P. Wallman

8/26/10

 

·                Inspired by the teaching of Father Leo Clifford