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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
We see a scene full of mixed emotions; love vs betrayal, grace vs human freedom, positive courage vs failure through betrayal of the one I promise to love. Even Jesus knowing his hour was near and what was to happen does not give in to abandon the humanity. We have many times looked on the betrayal part of Judas which lack personal choice of return due to excess despair and Peter’s betrayal that antithetically to Judas does not end on remorse but on the Mercy of loving Jesus and so Peter chooses repentance and reformation.
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Sometimes when a child misbehaves continuously, especially in public places at some point, a parent may give a serious look that indicates to the child you have to stop what you are doing. It is time to change that. It is a sign that the child's behavior is no longer tolerated. In the Gospel today Jesus is no longer giving the serious warning eye but is spilling out the beans. He seems tough and tired of people's disbelief. He indicates to the listeners that his journey to the Father is near by saying, ‘I am going away.’ and the people will have the urge to be with Him, but He won’t be found. This resembles the urge of repentance and change as we read in Isaiah 55:6 ‘seek the Lord while he may be found, call to him when is near.’ Jesus is telling them recognize me now as your messiah. Remember in the previous texts He had just taught them is the ‘bread of life,’ and ‘the light of the world.’ Therefore, in His absence there is darkness which is evil and sin.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
When we hear the word "law," many of us think first of rules and restrictions. We picture something heavy. But this Lenten season, the Church invites us to look again. The law of God was never meant to be a burden. It was given as a path — a way of staying close to God and to one another.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
The two readings today present a moment of seeking immense mercy from the master/God and moments we need to reciprocate the same to other fellow humans. The first reading, in the book of Daniel, is the prayer of Azariah. Azariah who was among the three friends of Daniel, thrown into the fire furnace after refusing to worship the idol god ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar. The name Azariah in Hebrew means God has helped. His name was changed to Abednego after being taken to slavery in Babylon. One significant thing in the prayer of Azariah is that he pleads for God’s mercy on behalf of the whole Israelite Nation.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Choices matter in life. Some are difficult and others are simple. Those hard decisions, especially on matters of faith, carry with themselves a lot of blessings, rewards, and eternal peace. God in the scripture is presented on many occasions as a father who not only awaits the sinner to return but also provides the means for return. The mercy and love of God seek out the lost, doubtful and despaired and leads them back to Him. God does not want to lose anyone. The readings today relate on how we walk with God. They provide a Christian roadmap that transcends beyond the physical world to eternity.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
My dear brothers and sisters, today let us reflect on a spiritual practice that can sustain and strengthen our families: the examination of the conscience. In our families, we often look outward for the cause of our struggles and pain. We blame work, society, or even one another. Yet Jesus gently reminds us that what truly shapes our actions and relationships flows from within. He teaches us, 'what defiles us comes from within,' or 'Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt 6:21).' If our hearts carry evil thoughts or cherish evil deeds, these will echo through our households. But if we treasure love, patience, humility, and forgiveness, our homes become places where grace can flourish.
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