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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Marian devotion | family prayer | pray the rosary
Mom! ... Mommy! ... Mama! If your house is anything like mine, you are called upon many times a day. My kids never tire of calling out, “Mom” for a variety of reasons. I find it funny when people say they are “tired” of saying the Hail Mary, especially as part of the Rosary: It’s so repetitive. Calling on our mother is innate. God wired us to cry out for our mothers, to seek comfort from them, and to depend on them throughout our lives. This includes not only our earthly mothers but also our heavenly Mother, Mary. "Mom, what’s for dinner?" The variety of statements that follow our “Mom” title can be: "Mom, I need x, y, z for school … did you fill out that paperwork for camp … where is my (fill in the blank) ... I am sad … I need help with (school subject )... can you untie this knot … what’s for dinner?
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Today's Gospel resonates with a profound tenderness, a direct whisper from the heart of Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." "I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be." This is the very essence of our Christian hope: we are not destined for isolation, for a lonely end. Our ultimate purpose is communion, a deep and abiding connection with Christ himself.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
The ending of our first reading and the beginning of today's Gospel passage both convey important messages about humility. In the first, John the Baptist says about Jesus: “Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.” This is in response to John’s good work in preparing the way for the Lord, but the people wondered if John was the Messiah they had long awaited. John humbly and correctly explains to the people who he is and how he relates to the Messiah.
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I come from India where the most famous sport is cricket. In the game of cricket, a team consists of eleven players on the field, and a twelfth man. The "12th man" is a substitute player who primarily serves as a reserve player, always on the bench, never in the spotlight, yet faithfully attending every practice, studying every play, and cheering on their teammates. While not part of the playing eleven, this player is crucial for stepping in when a teammate is injured or needs a break. The 12th man often delivers drinks, equipment, and messages to players on the field, ensuring the team's smooth operation during a match. Their role, though behind the scenes, is vital for team morale and readiness.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
God teaches us in many different ways and places. Back when I lived in Taunton at St. Mary’s I used to go for walks around the neighborhood and it wasn’t long before I noticed all the Our Lady of Fatima statues with the three kneeling children in so many front yards. Now, this was a new thing for a guy from Quincy where the Irish who had a statue of the Blessed Mother kept her in the back yard all to ourselves! Because Quincy was mostly Irish and Italian, we focused on Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Knock. So, there I was walking through a new experience of faith and one that wasn’t in backyards but right out front.
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Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity
Did you keep vigil on Thursday, May 8, along with the millions watching on television, livestreams, or in person at St. Peter’s Square, waiting for the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the appearance of the new pope? I noticed that people from all over the world were waiting for the new shepherd to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. All members of the one flock, under the leadership of the one shepherd. The Book of Revelation 7:9 came to my mind: “I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue.” I once read a story about a priest who asked his sacristan to write out the response to the Responsorial Psalm for the parishioners to recite during Mass. That Sunday, the response was: “The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want.” But the board was too small. So the priest, thinking practically, told the sacristan, “Just write, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’ That’s enough.” When the time came for the response, the congregation, dutifully reading what was written, echoed with deep conviction: “The Lord is my Shepherd. That is enough.” It was a mistake—but what a beautiful one. Because truly, isn’t that the whole Gospel in one line?
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