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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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I vaguely remember reading the story of a carpenter who helped build the Church and counselled others faced hardships - his wife's sudden death, financial troubles, and exploitation. Dejected, he attended Mass and was moved by the priest's sermon on God's love. Afterward, he spoke with the priest at length. The man felt immensely relieved, telling his neighbor, "When I went to his office, all hope was lost—but one by one, he restored my hope. I feel so much stronger and hopeful now!" Life's unfair experiences can drain us. When "the stars fall from our skies," we need encouragement and support to restore hope one by one, putting the stars back again. Today, the Church commemorates the Feast of St. Barnabas, a great source of encouragement that urges us to encourage others.
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“Life is short. Death is certain. The world to come is everlasting.” ~ Saint John Henry Newman
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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.
Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Assuming that after the Annunciation took place on March 25, Mary left Nazareth and went to visit her cousin Elizabeth because her presence and much more, the presence of Jesus in her womb, was to be the source of very great graces to Saint John, His Forerunner. Elizabeth was six months pregnant and needed Mary’s attention, help, service and care since she was already in old age. Mary’s mind was still attuned to helping others and putting into practice, even if it was not yet written, the words of Saint Paul: “Your move must be sincere, Anticipate each other in showing respect, look on the needs of the saints as your own; be generous in offering hospitality.”
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When I met my close-to-one-year-old niece for the second time in India a week ago (she is my cousin's daughter, who lives next door), I didn’t realize a newborn baby could teach me anything. I presumed our relationship would be a one-way street—I would offer my love as an uncle to my newest niece, and she would be the beneficiary.
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Today's gospel evoked memories of my childhood when I and my classmates were eager to be the first in line for lunch or recess. I vividly recall my Saint Mary's High School teachers gently guiding us to form an orderly line. Often, a student who had rushed to the front would be sent to the back, a lesson in humility. Sometimes, we would line up in alphabetical order, and those of us with names towards the end of the alphabet would playfully lament their fate. No matter the order, there was always a shared desire to be near the front, a desire for recognition and status that we all understand.
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Oscar Wilde, an Irish wit, poet and dramatist, once said: “Some people cause happiness wherever they go; while others whenever they go.” Letting go is choosing the better part. In life, there are instances when we need to bid goodbye to people and things dear to us for a higher cause. A song lyric asks, “Why is goodbye the hardest part of speech?” Haven’t we all felt that pit in our stomach when we have to say goodbye to someone we love, whether that is after visiting with family or friends we don’t see often or spending time with a loved one who may soon pass away?
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