Morning Offering: 02. 23. 26

Today’s Reflection: Prayer In Times of Confusion

I bring myself before you, Lord,
shadowed by uncertainty
and pulled in countless directions.

I see no clear way forward,
no neat solution,
no easy resolution.

Did you doubt when
your disciples did not understand you?

Did you question yourself when
the authorities questioned you?

Did you hesitate when
others asked what seemed more than humanly possible?

Did you feel fear when
you prayed in the garden?
When you breathed your last on the cross?

In the chaos of my life, Lord,
allow me to feel your presence.

Let me sense your Spirit
as it knits,
as it mends,
as it heals,
as it makes all things new.

Grant me the courage and patience
to abide with you in the garden,
to stay with you at the cross,
to hold fast to you in darkness.

Despite my doubts,
give me the grace to trust in you
and to say with you:
“Not my will, but yours be done.” — Rev. Ryan Duns, S.J.

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Editor’s Note: Today’s photo – Stations of the Cross, Jesus is Condemned to Death, St. Kevin Church, Welland.

Morning Offering: 02. 22. 26

Today’s Reflection: The Fast Life

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith. – Author Unknown

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 21. 26

Today’s Reflection: I have a great need for Christ. I have a great Christ for my needs.– Charles Spurgeon, 19th century English Baptist preacher

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 20. 26

Today’s Reflection: Lent doesn’t have to be a 40-day guilt trip or endurance test. You could make it a 40-day gratitude journey and spend 40 days practicing the greatest commandment of all: love. – Regina Brett, author.

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 19. 26

Today’s Reflection: I would like to invite you to a very practical and unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. – Pope Leo XIV

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 18. 26

Today’s Reflection: Repent, and believe in the Gospel. –  from the Ash Wednesday liturgy

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 17. 26

Today’s Reflection: Fasting During the Lenten Season

As we begin the Lenten Season let’s pause and reflect on where we want to be in 40 days
In the words of Pope Francis:

Let us pray that as we begin the season of Lent we embrace the opportunity to:
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill our hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so we can listen.

We pray that
our only desire
and our one choice
is to choose
what better leads
to the deepening
of God’s life in us.

We ask the Lord to guide our decisions today and to bless the Xavier Community with His peace, His joy, His love.- Attributed to Pope Francis

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 16. 26

Today’s Reflection: MORNING PRAYER

Jesus, the Christ, you see us

sometimes as strangers on the earth,

taken aback by the violence,

by the harshness of oppositions.

And you come to send out a gentle breeze

on the dry land of our doubts,

and so prepare us to be bearers of peace and reconciliation. –  Bodmin Hermit, a Franciscan hermit and retired hospice chaplain.

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 15. 26

Today’s Reflection: Give us hearts

of forgiveness and peace,

Lord Jesus,

that we may open ourselves

to relationship and reconciliation,

rather than distrust and division,

seeing each other

as the neighbours we are,

one family in your love,

bearers of your image,

your grace,

your love. – Bill Braviner, Anglican Archbishop of Halifax, U.K

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 02. 14. 26

Today’s Reflection: God of justice and mercy, 

guide our hearts

so our lives may reflect you. 

Heal what is broken within us, 

that we may become instruments of reconciliation 

in a world that needs your love. 

Amen. –  CAFOD prayer site

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.