One Minute Reflection – 12 November – ‘To Serve Thee’

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 and the Memorial of St Josaphat (1584-1623) Martyr

“So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.’ ”… Luke 17:10

REFLECTION – “Thou, O my God, have a claim on me and I am wholly Thine!   Thou are the Almighty Creator and I am Thou workmanship.   I am the work of Thou Hands and Thou are my owner.   As well might the axe or the hammer exalt itself against it’s framer, as I against Thee.   Thou owe me nothing, I have no rights in respect to Thee, I have only duties.   I depend on Thee for life and health and every blessing every moment.   If Thou withdraw Thy breath from me for a moment, I die, I am wholly and entirely Thy property and Thy work and my one duty is to serve Thee.   Amen” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Cardinal, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Apologist, Professor

PRAYER – O Lord our God, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love and to be only good influences to our neighbour.   That by our love, our brothers in faith may be one . St Josaphat you fought and struggled to unite the Church and by your efforts achieved the crown of martyrdom, please pray for our world, for a one united faith.   Amen