Today’s Reflection: Life can be difficult. “Just try this” some will say. It might help, it might not. You would love if it were that easy. Sometimes, you just feel lost. The buds will burst open. A small gesture may begin to lift you out of darkness. A hug, a sunrise, the loving words of a loved one. You believe that there is hope and life. The buds will burst open. Soon, you pay more attention to the moments of light. You see how beautiful the world is, how God cares for you, and you desire to love deeply in response. Struggle is there, but it does not have the last word. The buds will burst open. You may not have felt God’s presence in the darkness, but God was there, all along. And now you can rejoice, because the buds have burst open. They always will. —Chris Williams, S.J., a Jesuit scholastic of the Wisconsin province, studies philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. — Jesus of Nazareth. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: Not always easy to get through life’s unexpected surprises. But we have to persevere! Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Today’s Reflection and photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary….use words. – St. Francis of Assisi. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: ‘Mea culpa’. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Today’s Refection and photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: It can be nice being an “empty nester”, but memories tug on the heartstrings from time to time. Keep our kids close, Lord, and remind them to come our way every now and then! Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Today’s Reflection and photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: How can I better see ‘God in all things’? Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Today’s Reflection and photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: Some days the road isn’t so easy to follow. Do you know you can seek the help of your ‘higher power’ who is always there for you? Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Today’s Reflection and photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily

Today’s Reflection: God is with me, but more, God is within me. Let me dwell for a moment on God’s life-giving presence in my body, in my mind, in my heart, as I am here, right now. – Jesuit prayer. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.

Today’s Reflection: Hear our prayer today for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day. For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations. For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime. For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent. For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in. For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are. For those who are afraid and hopeless. For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net. For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope. We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness. Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet so that we may be empowered through word and deed, and through the political means we have to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless. Amen.— from Leadinginworship, a Mennonite prayer resource. Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m. daily.