World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Gospel Reflection | Sunday Mass | prayer
We live in a world of rules and protocols. Everywhere we look, there are guidelines, laws that must be followed, and traffic cops hiding behind billboards to enforce them. We are comforted, and kept safe, by laws. Yet sometimes laws that seem reasonable in one moment become self-serving in another. In yesterday's Gospel (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23), the Pharisees are back in the game of trying to trap Jesus for His lack of strict adherence to Jewish law, this time as it pertains to the washing of hands and ritual purification before eating. As usual, Jesus doesn't mince His words. He calls the Pharisees hypocrites, citing Isaiah's prophecies as specific to them: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts."
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Catholic Momcast | Living the Faith | Podcast | catholic mom
In this special 300th episode of Catholic Momcast, we meet the women who work to bring over 140 contributors, podcast guests, and special events to our readers and listeners. Join us in our celebration!
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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.
Lent activities | Lent books | family prayer
On the second Sunday of Lent, we read the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. In the Transfiguration, we see Jesus’ appearance changed, but even more astoundingly we see Peter’s transformation in which he attunes his will to God’s will putting aside his own selfish desires. How will you let the Lord transform you this Lent?
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Lent activities | Lenten Devotions | family prayer
On the first Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Fr. Agustino explains that Jesus went into the desert to heal what took place in the garden with Adam and Eve. Our own journey into the desert this Lent in which we offer our prayers, sacrifices, and offerings is to redeem those parts within us that are in need of redemption. What do you need to be freed from this Lent?
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Ash Wednesday | Lent activities | family prayer
Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, discusses the meaning of Ash Wednesday, the practice of fasting, and how our Lenten practices are intended to lead us to the resurrection—Jesus’s resurrection and our own. We pray, fast, and mark our foreheads with ashes because we are made for heaven.
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Prayer Intentions | family life | power of prayer
The powerful graces from intercessory prayer bless me every day. I have a tight-knit group of friends who are champion prayer warriors, women (and men!) who ask me how they can pray for me and follow through with that faithful promise. I do the same for them because it is in many cases the most loving and charitable act I can do for them. I know that in the saddest or most stressful times in my life those words have brought me great comfort.
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