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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
It's often said that familiarity breeds contempt. We witness this firsthand in the Gospel of Mark as Jesus returns to His hometown, only to be met with skepticism. The locals question, "Isn't this the carpenter's son?" Their familiarity blinds them to the divine presence among them. This narrative mirrors our own tendencies to judge others based on superficial perceptions, overlooking the unique gifts God has bestowed upon each individual.
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Dr. Deepak Chopra, in his book Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, states that for our bodies to thrive, they must “live on the wings of change.” Science tells us that our bodies are in a constant state of renewal—our skin replaces itself every month, our liver every six weeks, and our skeleton every three months. By the end of the year, 98% of the atoms in our bodies will have been exchanged for new ones.
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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.
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
As Advent draws to a close, today’s readings share two deeply moving stories—those of Manoah and his wife, and Zechariah and Elizabeth. Both couples endured the profound heartache of being without children, a struggle that brought cultural stigma, personal pain, and perhaps moments of silent questioning. Their journeys invite us to reflect on the power of faith, patience, and endurance.
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Healing the family | Return to the Church
Brothers and sisters, those of you who have gathered here today and those joining online, look around you. Each one carries its own joys and sorrows, its own triumphs and struggles. Perhaps this week, you've argued with your teenager, worried about a sick child, or felt the strain of making ends meet. In these moments, it's easy to feel alone. But today, on this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we remember that we are not.
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Seasonal Reflections | Strengthening family unity
If you wanted to sum up the meaning of Advent, this beautiful and reflective season of waiting, you could do it with just one profound question: What are you waiting for? What are we waiting for? We're waiting for Christ, who came as a baby, who will come again in glory, but who is also here now. He's present in the laughter of our children, in the forgiveness we share after an argument, in the quiet moments of prayer as a family.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
The readings today might seem unsettling, speaking of a harvest of judgment and troubling times. How many of us have stayed up late worrying about our children's future? About whether they'll be safe, happy, and find their way in a world that seems so uncertain? It’s natural to feel a sense of unease, as people throughout history have when faced with uncertainties about the future. Remember the anxieties surrounding Y2K? Or the predictions of Nostradamus? Even today, with concerns about climate change and global unrest, those fears can creep into our hearts.
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