World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
“Put your house in order for you are about to die.” Those words from the prophet Isaiah reminded me of relatives and friends who may also have been told those words. I can only imagine what their reaction might have been.
Share
I attended a picnic recently and felt I could have been among the walking dead. I do not say this to disparage anyone. It had been several years since I last saw some of the attendees and people who I once knew to be vibrant were now wrinkled and some bent over. They did not appear to be people like the ones Isaiah described today, people with hearts that trembled as trees of the forest tremble in the wind. At one point, I had to ask myself to what extent had my own appearance changed.
Share
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.
Healing the family | Strengthening family unity
Some people read their horoscopes, others go to Facebook and see what their five hundred friends are up to. I look at the obituaries every morning and inclined to read the death notices of younger people, their educational background, their religious affiliation, and burial plans. There was a sad obituary the other day of a young man who was in his thirties. He lost his battle with addiction.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Love thy Neighbor
In the first of the two Scripture readings today, Amos continues to rail against the abuses inflicted on the poor by unscrupulous people, cheating them in the sale of wheat that was so essential to their daily diet. Fake baskets with a false bottom were used to hold wheat. It was not uncommon to touch the scales to inflate the weight while items were being weighed. Evil and greed on display.
Share
As I reflected of the words of the prophet Amos today, my thoughts turned to the committee that is investigating the violence that occurred on January 6 at the Capitol of the United States. People who were enlisted to witness before the committee spoke of the egregious abuse of power. In the words of the prophet Amos, “They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way.”
Share
I found it curious that along with Jesus and Mary, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is one of three birthdays on the Church’s calendar. I know what the Scriptures tell us about his life, but I am still not entirely certain why he is so important and ranks up there with Peter, Paul, and some of the Old Testament prophets.
Share