x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Family Activities | Gospel Reflection | family life | family prayer
Dad: "Kids, it’s time for bed." Kids: "Throw us in bed! Dad, throw us in bed!" (Dad picks a kid up in his arms.) Dad: "Did I ever tell you about the three men in the book of Daniel who were thrown into the fiery furnace?" Kids: "No!" Dad: "Their names were... Shadrach... Meshach... and ToBedYouGo!" We can sometimes feel as if we too have been cast into the furnace; just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The fiery furnace is something we all come across in our lives. Not just once, but many times.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Last weekend in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in frigid conditions with temperatures around 17 degrees in heavy snow and high wind gusts. In another game, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins in Kansas City, where the temperature was a bone-chilling negative 4 degrees with a wind chill of negative 27. There is an undeniable allure to sports that attracts crowds from all strata of life.
Share
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.
Today, I would like to share a touching and inspiring story that reflects the essence of today’s reading. It is a story that reminds us of the importance of putting the well-being of others before rigid principles, a lesson we can draw from the actions of a charitable Protestant couple during the challenging times of World War II.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
I believe today's First Reading, from 1 Samuel, deserves our undivided attention and thoughtful reflection. The Israelite army was again engaged in battle with their neighboring nation, the Philistines. In the initial encounter, almost four thousand Israelite soldiers were killed, which cast a shadow of gloom and despair over the Israelite camp. The elders couldn't help but wonder how and why the invincible chosen people of Yahweh, who were always supported by the mighty hands of the God of armed forces, suffered such a severe defeat. It was unthinkable for them to be defeated by a pagan army that worshipped demons, and it was indeed a humiliation for Yahweh as well. They decided to bring Yahweh himself to the forefront to teach the Philistines a lesson.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Return to the Church
One of the sacraments that I enjoy celebrating the most is the sacrament of baptism. It is always a joyous occasion. A young child has recently been welcomed into their family with great happiness and celebration, and now they are being welcomed into another family - the church family. It is in this new family where the children become brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
Share
Among my most cherished memories in grade school and high school were when classmates or cousins would invite us to their homes to celebrate a birthday or enjoy the seasonal fruits in their backyard. We not only filled our stomachs but came to know more about our host classmates and their families. In turn, I would invite some of my classmates and cousins to our home, especially during harvest season or during some special celebration, which gave them the opportunity to know me and my family better.
Share
