Monday Morning Offering - 209

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

A missionary priest visited this weekend, Lord,

and the stories he told of the people in his parish

reminded me of how small are many of my problems,

how minor the inconveniences that upset me,

how insignificant the issues that unsettle my spirit…

I have so much, Lord!

All my basic needs are provided for:

I have shelter and warmth, health care and medicine,

food and drink, clean water and power,

family and friends, satisfying work and compensation,

safety and security, freedom and liberty…

I have freedom to believe and worship and pray.

I have freedom to think and express my thoughts.

I have freedom to move about, to travel and explore.

I have freedom to join with others and freedom to stay apart.

I have freedom to love, to serve in love and to fall in love…

I have so much, Lord,

and above all, Lord, I have you…

I have your love and the promise of your peace.

I have your presence in my heart and in my prayer.

I have the wisdom of your Word in the scriptures

and the help of your grace in the sacraments…

I have the gift of your mercy, pardon for my sins.

I have power of your Spirit to strengthen and guide me.

I have in the Church, communion with all who believe in you…

And in the Eucharist I have Communion with you

in the gift of your Body and Blood,

offered in mercy, given in love, shared as a sacrifice of praise…

I have so much, Lord!

Perhaps it’s because I have so much

that I focus so much on what I don’t have…

Perhaps it's all I have in full

that makes me jealous

for what I might still lack…

Make me grateful, Lord, for all I have,

all I’ve been given, all I’ve received,

and all I have to share…

In light of all I have, help me see more clearly

what I truly need

and help me balance what’s wanting

with what I have in hand...

And even as I pray, Lord,
the words, "Yeah, but..."
jump from my heart in defense of my hurt,
to plead my case for what I miss, what I want,
what I don't have...

And it's right there, Lord, that I need you
to help me see this truth:
if I fail to see and give thanks each day for all that I have
I may miss what I long for even when it comes,
when my prayer is answered and my hope fulfilled...

So, give me a grateful heart, Lord,

lest I lose myself in grief for needs not met,

for pain within, for healing yet to come…

Give me a grateful heart, Lord,

that I won’t lose sight of what abounds

while dwelling on what’s absent still…

Give me a grateful heart, Lord,

for all the simple gifts that mark me

blessed and rich in so many ways…

This morning, then, I offer you my praise and thanks

for all I have , for all you’ve given me,

for all I have to work with, for all that gives me comfort,

for all that sets me free, for all that brings me peace,

for all that gives me life and keeps me in your grace…

Give me a grateful heart, Lord, for all I have to share

with all whose paths cross mine

who may need from me a portion

of the gifts I take for granted…

Even in my need and want I know, Lord,

how much I have, how blessed I am.

Let my prayer remind me of your gifts

and make me grateful all this day

and through this week…

Amen.

From this prayer time, 
what word or phrase will I keep with me 
to carry through the rest of my day?

(Click here for an archive of Monday Morning Offerings)


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