Today’s Reflection:
Dear God, In a world where everything begs for our attention, help us quiet our hearts and choose what truly matters most. Amen. – Maria Shriver, I’ve Been Thinking
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.
Today’s Reflection:
Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily.
To lean upon your great strength, trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of your will, patiently, serenely.
To meet others, peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously. – A Prayer of St. 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.
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:
I will never fear,
For you are ever with me,
And you will never leave me,
To face my perils alone. – Thomas Merton
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.
Today’s Reflection: St, Augustine’s Powerful Prayer For Bravery
God of our life,
There are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weigh us down;
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies grey and threatening;
when our lives have no music in them,
and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light, turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise;
tune our hearts to brave music;
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age;
and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage
the souls of all who journey with us
on the road of life,
to your honor and glory. Amen. — St. Augustine
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.
Today’s Reflection: A Cook’s Advent Prayer
What joy this brings me, Lord. Thank you for guiding me into the kitchen for some time of silence with you. The room fills with wonderful smells and I share tastes and samples with my family as they make extra trips through the kitchen on days like this. Thank you for each and every one of these special people in my family. They are like the ingredients of my own life, adding spice and heat and wonderful flavor and melding together into a unique dish designed to glorify you.
You know, God, cooking is quite a bit like my life. It’s messy, I get careless and sometimes things don’t turn out as I had planned. But in the mess of my life, that’s where I can turn to you. Help me when I have to deal with being so imperfect. Bless me with humility when I grapple with my own poverty. Let me feel how deeply you love me, even when all I have to offer is scorched and humble.
Be with me Lord, in this kitchen today. Help me to take the time in this intimate silence with you, to pray for each person who will eat this food. Allow me to remember all of those around the world who have so little food, and bless those who share what little they have. — Creighton University Online Ministries
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.
Today’s Reflection: Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You have run the race before us and conquered the cross with joy.
When we grow weary, strengthen our steps.
When we feel discouraged, lift our eyes to you.
Surround us with your great cloud of witnesses,
that we may run with endurance and faith.
Let us not fear the struggles of the journey,
but press on, knowing that you are our prize,
our victory, and our guide. Amen. —Benjamin Rogers, SJ
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.
Today’s Reflection: In you, Father all-mighty, we have our preservation and our bliss.
In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving.
You are our mother, brother, and Saviour.
In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace.
You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us.
You are our maker, our lover, our keeper.
Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well. Amen — Julian of Norwich
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.
Today’s Reflection: When evil darkens our world. give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubt assails us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence and purpose in doing Your will.— John D. Rayner
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.
Today’s Reflection: Prayer
I pray that our eyes may be open
To be one another’s keeper
To look out for the children of the world
Offer a kind word, a book, an encouragement
I pray that we may teach our kids to hope
To be kind, to love, to stand against injustice
And may we take time to accept what children offer us
The magic of hope and love
Amen. — Adapted from a poem written by Donna Akuamoah, United Methodist Women International Ministries
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.
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