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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
If today's gospel sounds familiar, it's because we just heard it on Sunday! (And, we've also heard it earlier in Advent too.) But, at times, we need God's Word to come back at us again so that it moves us from thought to action.
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Return to the Church | Seasonal Reflections | Why pray?
God's justice, compassion, and healing power can do amazing things, big and small, if you let Him in, if you invite Him into your life. This week, I had two writing deadlines due the same day. The first was today’s homily, and the second was a family Christmas letter. As I prayed and reflected on the tasks at hand, I had an inspiration for how to approach a Christmas letter in these unusual times.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
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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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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