Our Morning Offering – 13 January – Monday of the First week in Ordinary Time
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
By Archbishop + S Michael Augustine (1933-2017)
When I grow old, weak and stumbling
And my strength fails me
When I have run my course
And I feel just emptiness as a sore
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
When those whom I have known and loved
Are no more around with me to guide indeed.
When my friends leave me, one by one to yonder life
And when I am left in sadness but in deep faith,
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
When I feel hurt and dejected, rightly or wrongly
When insults and gossips pelted on me merrily.
When I feel dejected and dismayed selfishly,
I turn back to God, to ask Him, why I should suffer so badly
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
The world moves on, for all on earth rapidly or dimly
The new ones may ignore the old and the grumpy
And all these earthly woes, why bother, will pass away
And I shall be led to You, in deep faith and love for You
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
I know Lord, You are with me, deep in my heart
With Mother Mary, all the Angels and Saints
Lord, I am never alone, never old but ever in the heart
Of all my friends, old and young, on earth or in heaven.
I know, Lord, You are with me. Stand by me.
Lord, I offer You, my ‘Fiat’ kept safe and sound by You I bet
Along with Yours and Mother Mary’s, I offer my tiny dot
With my parents and all my class friends, here on earth or in heaven
To the Glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit
ForEver and Ever, Amen.
I know, Lord, You are with me
Stand by me, Stand by me and Stand by me!
Archbishop Emeritus of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, India
Augustine was sometimes referred to as the “People’s Bishop” and “Bishop of the Poor.” He was fluent in English, French, Tamil and Latin. He was a Tamil scholar, as well as a lyricist, poet, writer, singer, magician and artist.
AnaStpaul 