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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
After listening to Father Leo’s homily yesterday, I was inspired to seek ways to use our hands, feet, and eyes--our bodies, to do good and care for those in need. Father Leo, like Jesus, building upon the Ten Commandments with the positive actions of the Beatitudes, made me think about today’s readings in the positive, regarding honoring our commitments through holy perseverance.
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Last night, I spoke with Father George Piggford, a Holy Cross priest and Stonehill professor, about how his love of literature and writing inspires his preaching. Over the years, Father George and I have compared notes on where we were going with our Sunday homilies and shared ideas. It’s been both helpful and insightful to see how God was working in each of our lives.
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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.
From the 4th century, St. Ambrose gave the Blessed Mother the title of “Mother of the Church,” underscoring her profound role in our spiritual journey. It was also proclaimed by St. Paul VI in 1964 at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council’s third session. Finally, after centuries of thought and devotion, Pope Francis brought this teaching and title to the General Roman Calendar so that we might better remember that Our Blessed Mother provides a maternal care that began from the moment that Jesus spoke from the Cross the words, “Behold your mother.”
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
“Do you love me more than these…?” This question from Jesus to Peter has always been there, but it's only recently that its significance has dawned on me in a new way. What, or who, was Jesus referring to when he said the phrase “…more than these?” Logically, it would seem that Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him more than the other apostles. If that is true, what was the significance of Jesus asking Peter this question before He ascended to Heaven?
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Today’s saint, Isidore of Spain, was born to poor farm laborers who, like Father Peyton’s parents, were rich in faith. Their example helped shape this future saint, who, along with his wife, St. Maria de la Cabeza, would become renowned for their piety and charity as they worked on an estate for their entire lives.
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Ascension | Celebrating family life | Learn more about our faith
The Ascension of Jesus must have been the final evidence the disciples needed from Him. In addition to the fulfillment of the Father’s plan of salvation, it was the catalyst for the passing of the torch to Jesus’ disciples. At the beginning of today’s gospel from Mark, Jesus issues a profound and challenging command: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This command is not a mere suggestion or a limited directive. It is a call to action to share the good news of salvation with every person, and creature, in every corner of the world. Jesus didn’t say, “Remember what I told you, take care of yourself, and one day you will see me again.” And likewise, He didn’t say, “Proclaim the gospel to some people, people you like—within the town where you live.”
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