Monday Morning Offering: JULY 15

Image: George Mendoza


On the morning after hearing the gospel of the Good Samaritan,
I thought it would be good to pray these words again... 

Good morning, good God!

O Lord, there are so many good people in my life:

so many caring, loving, generous, selfless folks

who give of themselves for others

as naturally as the rest of us breathe in and out...

Some folks, Lord, seem born to give:

   always ready to pitch in, to help out, to volunteer,

   to step up to the plate and go the extra mile,

never counting the cost to themselves,

   sharing graciously, always, with others...

I offer you my thanks, Lord,

for those who are the first to say yes, cheerfully so,

and the ones who are last to go home, 

making sure all is done

and that all is done well…

Just this past week, Lord, so many good people

touched my days with their generous spirit,

lightened my load with their helping hands

and were there by my side

just when I needed them…

I offer you my thanks, Lord,

for those who are always there,

who find and make the time to serve the needs of others,

others who might never know

   who volunteered and came to the meetings to make the plans;

   who wrote the emails, made the calls and readied the handouts;

   who did the work, arrived an hour early, opened the doors,

   turned on the lights and made the coffee;

   who set up the chairs, set the tables, prepared the refreshments,

   handled the problems, heard the complaints, took the grief

      and stayed an extra hour to clean up the mess

         left by those they just served…

I thank you, Lord, for those who offer

generous hours of gracious care, patient listening,

broad shoulders, understanding eyes, strong arms,

skillful hands and a heart that’s open all day long,

no matter how heavy its own burdens may be…

I offer you thanks, Lord, 

for those who work and help and volunteer

   in parishes and schools, in neighborhoods and towns,

   in food pantries and soup kitchens,

   in hospitals, nursing homes and senior centers,

   in sports and scouts and children's groups...

I give you my thanks, Lord,

   for all who in so many ways reach out 

      to those who are alone, in need and in trouble...

I pray for those who do the thankless tasks:

   may I never presume upon their kindness

   nor take for granted their generous spirit...

Some folks, Lord, seem born to give

but all of us are called to give as generously as those who give so freely of their time, their gifts,

their treasure and their talents…

As I am served by others, Lord,

make me their servant, too:

called to give, to share with all

from all you’ve given me…

As others cross my path this week,

make me mindful of their needs

and all the ways that I might offer them

my heart, my hand, my help

to make it through another day…

I offer you my thanks, Lord,

for the caring, loving, selfless folks

who lighten my load, share my burdens

and reveal in their generous love

the love you have for all…

Amen.

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