Revolution of Love.com
Thoughts on the Morning Offering
by Brian
My morning drive to work is normally easy and uneventful, but on occasion I find myself stuck in the middle of a traffic jam. On one such morning as I was inching my way along Highway 68, I started to take notice of the drivers who were heading in the opposite direction. For whatever reason, the thought came to me, "have any of these people offered their day to God before leaving home?"
After asking myself the above question, I asked another question, "What makes the morning offering so important?" After a little research and reflection, I came up with the following:
First, I cannot think of a better way to start my day, outside of attending Mass, of course, than to offer my works, prayers, sacrifices (I mean everything) to Jesus. To know that every duty I perform, prayer I say, and sacrifice I make (little or big) goes straight to Jesus is awesome!
Second, all of my works, prayers and sacrifices are not only offered to Jesus, but they have particular intentions attached to them, for instance: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, etc. Therefore, whatever I do or experience is never wasted, but has great intercessory value.
Third, by offering Jesus my works, sacrifices, joys and sorrows, I not only receive countless graces that will help me grow in holiness, but it will help sanctify others.
Over the years the morning offering has given my life, vocation and day - proper perspective. It reminds me that God put me on earth to know, love and serve Him. It also helps me realize that as a Catholic I am called to pray daily, perform my duties well, to carry my cross and to resign myself to God’s Holy Will. And because I renew parts of my morning offering during the day, using such prayerful phrases as: "Jesus, through Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, I offer my work to You" or "Jesus, I offer You this sacrifice for Your Glory and the conversion of sinners," I keep myself recollected and in God’s presence.
When I think about the morning offering I always remember the credit card commercial that made the point "don’t leave home without it". I would like to change this phrase to "don’t leave home without praying it". I encourage you to do your best to pray the morning offering with great devotion and fervor. If you have never heard of the offering or maybe you have, but have never prayed it, please do. You will not be disappointed! And God will be very pleased!
God bless!
Note: If you do not know of a morning offering prayer to say, you can find one in the chapel.