Morning Offering: 05. 25. 26

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Today’s Reflection: Our Lady of the Way

Our Lady of the Way,
stay with us when we grow weary of the journey;
for the road is long
and our hearts are weak.
Strengthen us with the patience and fortitude
to continue on
in pursuit of a whole and just world;
in pursuit of a whole and just self.
Come, be our guide.

Our Lady of the Way,
lead us when we cannot see the path.
Take us by the hand as a Mother;
whispering comfort in our ears,
steering us through the dark,
guarding us from the terrors of the night.
Infuse us with your courage,
with your refusal to bow to fear and the unknown.
For in you we find the Light that moves us forward.

Our Lady of the Way,
show us the mystery you revealed to Ignatius
so many years past:
the mystery of letting go.
That we would not cling to our packs nor our sandals nor our cloaks
but release to the path what the path requires.
Because for all that we lay down,
we pick up something greater;
we pick up freedom.

Our Lady of the Way,
show us the way.
Amen. –  Attributed to Mary Dixon Thayer, American Catholic poet best known for devotional Marian verse.

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

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 05. 24. 26

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Today’s Reflection: Lightening the Load

The first thing we have to do
is to notice
that we’ve loaded down this camel
with so much baggage
we’ll never get through the desert alive.
Something has to go.

Then we can begin to dump
the thousand things
we’ve brought along
until even the camel has to go
and we’re walking barefoot
on the desert sand.

There’s no telling what will happen then.
But I’ve heard that someone,
walking in this way,
has seen a burning bush.–  Francis Dorff, O. Praem

Morning Offering is a daily posy 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: 05. 21. 26

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Today’s Reflection: FAITH

We trust that beyond absence there is a presence.

That beyond pain there can be healing.

That beyond brokenness there can be wholeness.

That beyond anger there may be peace.

That beyond hurting there may be forgiveness.

That beyond silence there may be the Word. – Bodmin Hermit post

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: 05. 20. 26

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Today’s Reflection: Prayer for Kindness

In every waking moment and with every interaction,
we have the opportunity to act with kindness.

Simple kindnesses — a hug, a smile, a word of encouragement —
warm our days and our hearts. Greater acts of kindness can
completely change lives. 

For kindness equips us with the capacity for deep understanding
when we hear an opposing point of view. 

Kindness sharpens our perception and gives greater context to ideas we may not agree with. Kindness shines a light on the goodness in others and lays a foundation to build common ground.

It’s not an understatement to say that when we act with kindness,
we are acting to uplift human dignity.

So challenge yourself today:
to truly hear others
to live with your whole heart
and to undertake everything you do with kindness.

Then watch your kindness spread. – from Faith at Marquette

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: 05. 19. 26

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Today’s Reflection: The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway,

Come at the evening, cold and gray,

To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim —

That sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned, when he reached the other side,

And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,

“You are wasting your strength in building here.

Your journey will end with the ending day;

You never again must pass this way.

You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build you the bridge at the eventide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head,

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followeth after me today

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.” — Will Allen Droomgoole

Today’s Reflection is a post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Today’s Reflection is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 05. 18. 26

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Today’s Reflection: A Metaphor for Change

Spring is a metaphor for change. Some changes we eagerly await, and some we abhor. Some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited. To all these changes we ask the gift of Your perspective beckoning us to expectation, hope, and rebirth.

May the sunlight and the rain be reminders that You are at work renewing the earth. As a God of renewal, You are ever at work in our lives, too.

Open our eyes and lives to the needed changes in our lives this Spring. Awaken us to new life and perspective, for we pray in Jesus’ name. – 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: 05. 17. 26

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Today’s Reflection: Lord, may those who carry heavy hearts find peace and those who wander through the dark find light. May peace descend on every weary soul, like gentle rain on dry and thirsty ground. Grant stillness to the minds that cannot quiet, and calm hands that tremble in the night. May all who seek find refuge and be held in peace that passes all we understand. – Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

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: 05. 16. 26

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Today’s Reflection: I am here, God, arms wide open, straining to hear Your whisper. Tell me, Lord, in clear words, what is it You have planned for me? – 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.