« back to all posts

Father, Brother, Savior, Friend: Family Reflection Video

Father, Brother, Savior, Friend: Family Reflection Video

Learn more about our faith  |  Return to the Church

About 120 years ago the English poet, Francis Thompson, wrote these beautiful words:

O world invisible, we view thee:

O world intangible, we touch thee:

O world unknowable, we know thee:

Inapprehensible, we clutch thee!

 

May we never cease to be amazed at how the Holy Trinity desires so much to come close to us, how Christ becomes like us, as the letter to the Hebrews says, so that WE CAN LOVE HIM, WE CAN KNOW GOD.

For many in the world what we Christians say is absurd. Many of you who are with us online live in places where there are a lot of Muslims who deny Christ is God, so God remains for them unknowable and distant. Then, it’s so sad for us when family and friends loose faith as a practical agnosticism keeps getting stronger in America and Europe. What does life mean if there is no God or if He is so distant? But He is not distant!

Saint Mark shows us Jesus beginning His ministry in Capernaum - a very full day, preaching and healing, casting out demons…actually it was a very busy day! Yet in the early morning He rises to pray, entering into communion with His Father. Jesus came so that His Father would be our Father.

It is clear throughout the Gospels that the profound prayer of Jesus is to be a model for us too! In Luke’s Gospel, particularly, whenever Jesus about to do something really important HE TAKES TIME TO PRAY! Will we accept His invitation to come very close to Him? Will we learn from Him, even in our busy lives, ALWAYS TO RETURN TO OUR SOURCE, TO THE LORD HIMSELF? Father, brother, Savior, Friend.

As we get into 2021, let’s remember what the heart of prayer is about: this encounter with the Lord, this invitation to friendship, to an experience of the Love of God that changes us, transforms us and makes us holy!

Family prayer opens the doors of our homes to Jesus.

It is so simple, so beautiful. Mary gave us the Rosary to lead us into deep prayer.

O world invisible, we view thee:

O world intangible, we touch thee:

O world unknowable, we know thee:

Inapprehensible, we clutch thee!

 


  • Father Jim's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 
  • To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

About Fr. James Phalan, C.S.C.

Father James Phalan, C.S.C. is a Catholic priest, member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and the National Director of Family Rosary. He served as a missionary for many years as part of the Family Rosary team, travelling the globe to help people come to Jesus through Mary. Now he is happy to be serving back at home in the USA!