Praying and thanking, truly

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious, 21 June 2023
2 Corinthians 9:6-11   ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>   Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Lord Jesus Christ,
let me realize everything
is purely your grace
so that I may learn to
pray and thank you 
truly and sincerely;
it is only when we recognize 
this fundamental truth
that whatever we have
is a grace from you, O Lord,
that we learn 
to truly pray 
and 
give you thanks.

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:8, 11

We can only be true
to you in our prayers, 
Jesus, when we acknowledge 
all your grace in us;
that is when we stop
showing off our kindness
and holiness, we stop
wasting time and efforts
on superficialities and 
outside appearance
because you are in us
and you are more than
enough for us.

In the same manner,
we can only be truly
grateful when we 
accept and own and
recognize the many 
grace you have 
showered us;
that is when we 
become a cheerful giver
because the best act
of thanksgiving
is in sharing our gifts,
your grace
with others.

After all, the word grace
is "charis" in Greek from
which also came the word
eucharist or thanksgiving
which is "eu-charis-tia".

What a tremendous grace
indeed to love and serve you,
Lord Jesus Christ when we
witness your loving service
to others, sharing and giving
only you,
always you.
Amen.