Living with Christ Morning Prayer

Living with Christ Morning Prayer 
Tuesday, January 28, 2014

For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. 

Lord Jesus,
it is always comforting to see myself
at your side in any of your teachings—
to see myself as one of those sitting in that circle
that you point to as being
your mother and brothers and sisters.

But in real life, I know I am
often among the ones outside.
I am a baptized member of your family,
but I always seem to be looking for you,
always trying to catch up with you,
always asking for you.

Jesus, I search for you;
help me to find you.
I ask for you;
do not delay in bringing me inside.
But Jesus, help me not rely on my kinship with you
to expect the seat of honor
or the first-century equivalent of the backstage pass.

Help me instead to do the will of God
no matter my circumstances.
Help me to hear your teaching
about who is your brother and sister.
Help me to believe that by living in you,
and by doing your will,
I can, in a spiritual sense, also be your mother—
giving birth to you in the world around me.

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me into your family.
Amen.

Prayer for Today

Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy affection may drag downward. Give us unconquered hearts which no tribulations can wear out. Give us upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.
Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you.

- Saint Thomas Aquinas