Jan. 12, 2016 Tuesday: 1st Week, Ordinary Time C
Jan. 12, 2016 Tuesday: 1st Week, Ordinary Time C
God's "to-do" List
The moment I woke up today and saw my extensive ‘to-do’ list, I felt paralyzed, sluggish, and unprepared to tackle my day. But I knew if I wanted to begin my day properly, I had to start with my top priority—prayer—or in this case, asking God what was on his ‘to-do’ list for me. After 10 minutes, I realized that I was doing all the things on my “to-do” list for me, rather than doing them for others—or for God.
Hannah, before she became the mother of the prophet Samuel, was a childless parent. She was unhappy because the most important item on her “to-do” list (having a child) would not be accomplished. But it was precisely her “deep sorrow and misery” that prompted her authentic prayer. Eli would respond to us who are feeling overwhelmed: “your ‘to-do’ list is not yours, but God’s… Go in peace.”
—Michael Martinez
Prayer
Lord, when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love.
Bless us with Your strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us.
We trust that in living close to You,
we shall see Your hand, Your purpose,
Your will through all things.
—St. Ignatius of Loyola
www.jesuitprayer.org
God's "to-do" List
The moment I woke up today and saw my extensive ‘to-do’ list, I felt paralyzed, sluggish, and unprepared to tackle my day. But I knew if I wanted to begin my day properly, I had to start with my top priority—prayer—or in this case, asking God what was on his ‘to-do’ list for me. After 10 minutes, I realized that I was doing all the things on my “to-do” list for me, rather than doing them for others—or for God.
Hannah, before she became the mother of the prophet Samuel, was a childless parent. She was unhappy because the most important item on her “to-do” list (having a child) would not be accomplished. But it was precisely her “deep sorrow and misery” that prompted her authentic prayer. Eli would respond to us who are feeling overwhelmed: “your ‘to-do’ list is not yours, but God’s… Go in peace.”
—Michael Martinez
Prayer
Lord, when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love.
Bless us with Your strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us.
We trust that in living close to You,
we shall see Your hand, Your purpose,
Your will through all things.
—St. Ignatius of Loyola
www.jesuitprayer.org
