Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life – in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.  Let me put myself aside to think of the happiness of others, and to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them. . . .

May no one be less good for having come within my influence – no one less pure, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in our journey toward eternal life.

Lord Jesus, I unite myself to your perpetual, unceasing, universal sacrifice.  I offer myself to you every day of my life and every moment of every day, according to your most holy and adorable will. . . . Accept my desire, take my offering, graciously hear my prayer.  Let me live for love of you; let me die for love of you; let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.  Amen.

Terence Cooke, 1921-1983, Cardinal and Archbishop of New York

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I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.