By Marc Fryer, SJ
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to be generous with my time, especially when it’s running low;
teach me to be generous with my patience, especially when it’s running thin;
teach me to be generous with my praise, especially when I’m feeling judgmental.
Lord Jesus, teach me to serve you as you deserve,
teach me to serve you as my students deserve;
teach me to serve you as my co-workers deserve;
teach me to serve you as my community deserves.
to give and not to count the cost,
even though it’s the last period of the week;
even though it’s the fifth meeting today;
even though it’s my 15th call from a parent.
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
the wounds to my health;
the wounds to my social life;
the wounds to my pride.
to toil and not to seek for rest,
even when I haven’t seen my family all week;
even when that last student is waiting at the dance;
even when I feel like I can’t go on.
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
not even another free period;
not even the teacher of the year award;
not even a bigger paycheck.
but that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.
Used with permission.
Related Links
Prayer for Generosity Reflections by dotMagis bloggers
Why Jesuits Are in Secondary Education by William J. Byron, SJ
