Poured Out and Emptied

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand."  2 Timothy 4:6

Dino and I often visit the garden crucifix next door at Christ the King Church.  The depiction of a larger-than-life Christ, in real agony, is excruciating.  So many 'crucified Christs' above altars rarely move me, for they are so sterile and unrealistic.  However, this one is visceral.  He 'poured out everything for us.  Later the same day, we prayed the rosary in our grotto.  Brenda did not feel like participating, but she did something much more meaningful, she sat and consoled Robbie, who was mourning the very recent death of his father. The image of Christ on the cross was transformed, for me, into the image of Brenda.

Very often when we come to the end of a long, long day and feel we have nothing more to give, someone comes along and needs to talk, or has a headache and wants an aspirin, or needs his sheets straightened. Then, by the grace of God, we are able to make that one last effort in pouring out and emptying ourselves for love.