A Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father, I offer you this day all that I shall think or do or say,
uniting it with what was done by Jesus Christ, your only Son. Amen.
O Jesus, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this
day. I join myself to all your people, in praying for the salvation of
souls, the reunion of all Christians, the grace of repentance, and the
intentions of the Holy Father. I wish to make my life this day a prayer
on behalf of N. Amen.

Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my
prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of
your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all
my relatives and friends and in particular for the intentions of the Holy
Father.

First Reading: Gal 1:1324

Brothers and sisters:
You heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it,
and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
But when he, who from my mother's womb had set me apart
and called me through his grace,
was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles,
I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem

to those who were Apostles before me;

rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas
and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any other of the Apostles,
only James the brother of the Lord.
(As to what I am writing to you, behold,
before God, I am not lying.)
Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea
that are in Christ;
they only kept hearing that "the one who once was persecuting us
is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."
So they glorified God because of me.

Holy Gospel
Gospel Reading: Lk 10:38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he entered a village and a
woman called Martha welcomed him to her house. She had a sister named
Mary who sat down at the Lord's feet to listen to his words. Martha,
meanwhile, was busy with all the serving and finally she said, "Lord, don't you
care that my sister has left me to do all the serving?"
But the Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about
many things, whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better
part, and it will not be taken away from her."

REFLECTION
How harsh to be told to hate our parents, spouse, or child. Who would ask
someone to do this? This goes against everything we are taught. We are told
to take care of our loved ones at all costs.
Well, discipleship might call us to forget what we were taught. Being a disciple
of Christ could separate us from our family, our jobs, and the life we are use
to. Are you ready to do this? I often ask parents who want to have their child

baptized, Do you truly know what is being asked of you? Jesus says, anyone
who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Are you
really ready to give up everything for Christ? This is not to be taken lightly.
At this moment in my life, we are on a spiritual journey of decreasing our
superficial self and trying to increase the Spirit of Christ in me. It is a struggle
each minute of the day. We constantly battle with our own selfish wants and
desires and our desire to grow closer to Christ. Each day we wonder which
me will come out on top. Following Christ means total submission to him. We
are not a culture who enjoys denying ourselves. No one wants to suffer. Our
journey with Christ will lead us to the cross. The cross points to the fullness of
life.

The Lords Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your 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.

Closing Prayer
We have gathered here today, Lord God as your people to offer you
our sacrifice of prayer and worship.
We have fed on your Word, been refreshed through your living water, felt the
encircling of your Spirit around this fellowship and around individual lives.
As we go from this place may we continue to know your presence and power
in the very different lives that we lead, to your praise and glory.
As we take our worship, praise and prayer from this place and into our daily
lives, may our lives be sustained through the love of our Heavenly Father.
May we feel the presence of our Savior walking beside us, and know the
power of the Spirit in both our actions and our words.

May the love of Jesus Christ bring us wholeness, the grace of God the Father
grant us peace, the breath of Holy Spirit instill passion and the unity between
them give us strength for this and every day. Amen