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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on where we place our confidence. Since the beginning of time, people naturally admire intelligence, eloquence, success, and influence of others. And, so we’re easily tempted to believe that success comes from impressive words, clever arguments, or personal ability. But Saint Paul gives us a very different message. He reminds the Corinthians that when he arrived, he didn’t rely on lofty speech or human wisdom. Instead, he preached simply and poignantly only one thing: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
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Every year when we remember and pray to St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, I think of how fitting a role model she is for parents who are worried about their children of any age… Over these past weeks, I’ve been, and I’ll bet some of you have been part of conversations with parents of adult children…parents who are worried about things like addiction, mental health, and drifting away from the practice of the faith. In one conversation, I was moved as the two people listened with great compassion to each other's stories and offered spiritual encouragement, treatment resources, and an invitation to meet their family at next week's Mass.
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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.
St. Bernard, was an abbot and doctor of the Church. He lived in France during the 11th and 12 centuries and was known for his writings, sermons, and biblical commentaries. A central tenet of his teaching was that “real happiness…” comes “…not in gratifying our desires or in gaining passing pleasures but in accomplishing God’s will for us."
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith | Transfiguration of the Lord
If you've ever had, or heard someone describe, a "mountaintop experience," that expression finds its roots in Matthew 17:1-9, the Gospel passage proclaimed on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In this powerful moment, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where His divine glory is revealed before them. We refer to an uplifting or revelatory spiritual experience with God in this way because it is what Peter, James, and John experienced on Mt. Tabor when they saw Christ’s Divine glory radiating: His face shone like the sun, His clothes became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him.
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I’m certain that Venerable Patrick Peyton would see it as fitting that the Church now celebrates Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus together as a family. It was in 2021, Pope Francis expanded this memorial to honor the entire family of Bethany, reminding us that together they reveal the beauty of Christian family life—faith in Christ, loving service, attentive prayer, and the hope of the Resurrection all lived under one roof.
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One of Bruce Springsteen's most recognizable songs is Hungry Heart. The song tells the story of a man searching for happiness, belonging, and fulfillment. Beyond Bruces musical talent, it became popular because it touches something universal: every human being has a hungry heart. We all long for love, purpose, peace, and someone who truly knows us. The question is not whether we are hungry—but where we go to satisfy that hunger.
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