Episode 2406: The Morning Sacrifice Giving God the First Hour of Your Day - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
The Morning Sacrifice: Giving God the First Hour of Your Day
Welcome to tonight’s episode, where we explore the wisdom of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and the profound insights of Dom Augustin Guillerand, a Carthusian monk. We’ll dive into the importance of dedicating the first hour of our morning to God and how this simple yet powerful practice can transform our lives. We’ll also examine why God sometimes keeps us waiting, and how this waiting is an essential part of our spiritual journey. Let’s uncover the deeper meaning of giving ourselves entirely to God, beginning with the first moments of our day.
The Morning Offering – A Gift to God
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Edith Stein, offers us a simple yet profound piece of advice: "Let go of your plans. The first hour of your morning belongs to God." In our busy lives, it’s easy to become consumed by our plans, schedules, and to-do lists from the moment we wake up. But St. Teresa reminds us that the first hour of our day is not ours to claim; it belongs to God.

From a traditional Catholic perspective, dedicating the first hour of the morning to God is a form of sacrifice and offering. It’s a time to align our hearts and minds with God’s will, to seek His guidance, and to offer Him our day before it begins. This practice is rooted in the understanding that everything we have, including our time, is a gift from God. By giving Him the first hour of our day, we acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and express our trust in His providence.
This morning offering can take many forms: prayer, meditation, reading Scripture, or simply sitting in silence before the Lord. Whatever form it takes, the key is to let go of our own plans and allow God to direct our thoughts and actions. This time spent with God at the beginning of the day sets the tone for everything that follows. It helps us to remain centered on Christ, no matter what challenges or distractions come our way.
The Value of Waiting – God’s Invitation to Deeper Love
Dom Augustin Guillerand, a Carthusian monk, provides us with a deeper understanding of why God sometimes keeps us waiting. He writes, "Why does God, who is love, keep us waiting? Because He is love, and seeks love. Love that does not know how to wait is not love. To love is to give ourselves. Not only for a fraction of a lifetime, nor with a part of its strength: love is, and seeks, the total gift of self. Love is based on esteem. We love only what we value and admire. We love only the "good". What is too easily and too quickly come by does not attract deep souls. It becomes a superficial good, which cannot satisfy the rich capacity of their nature." —Dom Augustin Guillerand - A Carthusian Monk
This statement reveals a profound truth about the nature of divine love. God’s love is not hurried or impatient; it is a love that seeks the total gift of self.
In a world that values instant gratification, waiting can be difficult. But Dom Augustin teaches us that love, true love, knows how to wait. It’s in the waiting that our love is purified and deepened. When God asks us to wait, He is inviting us to trust Him more fully, to let go of our own desires and expectations, and to surrender ourselves completely to His will.
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this waiting is not passive; it’s an active expression of our love for God. It’s a time of preparation, where we grow in patience, humility, and trust. It’s also a time when we learn to value what is truly good, to seek not the quick and easy path, but the path that leads to deeper union with God.
Just as the first hour of our morning belongs to God, so too does the time we spend waiting on Him. Whether we are waiting for an answer to prayer, for clarity in a decision, or for a particular grace, this waiting is a sacred time, a time of growth and transformation.
The Total Gift of Self – Love’s True Expression
Both St. Teresa Benedicta and Dom Augustin Guillerand emphasize the importance of giving ourselves entirely to God. St. Teresa’s call to dedicate the first hour of our morning to God is an invitation to begin each day with a total gift of self. Dom Augustin’s reflection on love and waiting further deepens our understanding of what it means to give ourselves to God.
In traditional Catholic spirituality, the total gift of self is the ultimate expression of love. It’s not just about giving God our time or our talents; it’s about giving Him our entire being. This includes our hopes, our fears, our desires, and our plans. It means trusting God with everything, even when we don’t understand His ways or His timing.

When we begin our day by giving the first hour to God, we are practicing this total gift of self. We are saying, "Lord, I trust You. I give You this day, with all its challenges and uncertainties. Guide me, lead me, and let Your will be done in my life." This act of surrender is a powerful way to grow in love and deepen our relationship with God.
Conclusion
As we conclude today’s episode, let’s remember the wisdom of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Dom Augustin Guillerand. The first hour of our morning is a precious time that belongs to God. By dedicating it to Him, we set the foundation for a day rooted in His love and guidance. And when God asks us to wait, let’s embrace that waiting as an opportunity to grow in love and trust, knowing that He is preparing us for something greater.
Thank you for joining us today. May you find joy and peace in giving the first hour of your morning to God, and may you grow in love and trust as you wait on His perfect timing. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you in His care.