Morning Offering: 10. 13. 26

Today’s Reflection: Prayer for Autumn Days

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything: there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful. — from Beliefnet

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

Morning Offering: 10. 12. 26

Today’s Reflection: A Thanksgiving Prayer

Oh God, on Thanksgiving Day we bow our hearts to You and pray.

We thank you for the many gifts and graces you have provided for us.

We pray for those who do not recognize or appreciate all that you have provided.

We pray for those who have less than we do.

We pray for continued health and happiness in our lives.

We pray for our family and friends, especially those who cannot be with us or are far from home.

We thank you for the food that we are about to receive.

Amen. – Marquette University prayer site

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

Morning Offering: 10. 11. 26

Today’s Reflection: Lord, I often feel Your presence when I walk alone on a trail through the woods. In the quiet, pre-dawn hours, I know You are with me still when the noise of traffic and bustle of crowds seems to drown out thought. Accompany me, Lord  at all times. – St. Vincent de Paul Society USA.

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

Morning Offering:10. 10. 26

Today’s Reflection: I said to God, I will not die before I know you. God replied he who knows me never dies. – Rumi.

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

Morning Offering: 10. 09. 26

Today’s Reflection:

Talk to God about everything.

The little things;

The important things;

The things you’re afraid to say out loud.

One day you’ll realize those brief conversations with God were the most important conversations of your life.

He listens. – Author unknown

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

Morning Offering: 10. 08. 26

Today’s Reflection: I should be accounted a thief by the great Almsgiver were I to withhold that which I wear from him who has greater need of it than I. – St. Francis of Assisi

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

Editor’s note: Last in a short series of reflections marking the 800th anniversary since the death (Transitus) of St. Francis of Assisi on October 3, 1226.

Morning Offering: 10. 07. 26

Today’s Reflection: I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours. – St. Francis of Assisi

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

Morning Offering: 10. 06. 26

Today’s Reflection: We have been called  to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way. – St. Francis of Assisi

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

Morning Offering: 10. 05. 26

Today’s Reflection:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen. – Prayer of St. Francis   

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

Morning Offering: 10. 04. 26

Today’s Reflection: HERMITAGE RULE 30

Let go and let God help you to see with His eyes. – Bodmin Hermit, Franciscan hermit. retired hospice chaplain, Church  of England but multifaith contemplative stance.

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