As disciples, we’re asked to pick up our own cross and walk after Jesus. What a beautiful prayer to ask God, morning after morning, to open our ears, to open our hearts to his Word (Isaiah 50:4). And perhaps, most important of all, to give us that deep trust, that deep courage that will allow us to believe that the Lord is our help and that he is near us.

– Father Francis Michael Stiteler, O.C.S.O.