World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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It takes a significant amount of courage and humility to face our own rough edges, but how do we embrace those characteristics? All of our Advent readings can point us towards the right frame of mind to grow this Season. If we really pay attention to what God is telling us, these readings can help us to feel confident that Jesus is truly with us, no matter what challenges we face.
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There’s something both mystical and beautiful, and I’d add hopeful, about being on a mountaintop. Today, the prophet Isaiah brings us up on that high ground, far above the tough reality of human trials, by saying, "On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will provide…" not just for some, but for "all peoples."
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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.
It’s funny how hearing the Word of God at certain times can cause you to think of different things, things that could appear disconnected, but somehow our minds make associations. Today’s first reading reminded me of a 17-year-old me asking my neighbor over the backyard fence what it felt like to turn 40…back then, 40 was old!
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Today’s first reading and gospel tell stories of courage and cowardice. The mother and her seven sons are heroically courageous in not giving in to the King’s demand that they violate their religious practices. On the other hand, the servant given one gold coin is so fearful of the King that he doesn’t even put it in the bank to earn interest.
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The weather here in Massachusetts has changed, and we’ve also set our clocks one hour back. In the Church, we’re getting ready for the end of the Liturgical year. This is a time when we look forward to God coming to us as a newborn child. But first, we must prepare by realizing that living by Jesus’ values comes at a cost.
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"Oh, when the saints go marching in; oh, when the saints go marching in, Oh, how, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in!" We’d sing that song every day in a big cafeteria at one of the meals served to the campers and counselors at E.C. Week at Camp Fatima in New Hampshire. The E.C. stands for exceptional citizens: people who have Down’s syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and so many other challenges that they face every day.
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