Last night I saw a film called PRAY and it’s the story of the life and mission of Venerable Patrick Peyton. It moved me to tears. It’s so inspiring! It will be released to the world in October. I pray millions of people will see it and be moved by Father Peyton’s message that is so important for families today, "the family that prays together stays together."
What touched me so much is seeing that it is simply a message of love. Father Peyton’s life was about his love of God and Our Lady that was so strong it moved him to give his life totally to share that love with families.
He grew up poor in a large Rosary-praying family in Ireland. That seed of the kingdom of heaven burst into bloom and began to yield fruit when he was healed of tuberculosis. The rest of his life was a celebration of love and gratitude as he was inspired for his mission that touched millions of hearts and homes.
Like Saint Martha, Mary and Lazarus in today’s Gospel, Father Peyton was a friend of Jesus. Mary says something so fundamental and necessary for the world today: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Father Peyton’s call to family prayer is none other than to receive Jesus, the God of love, and His way in our homes. His heart - his very being - burned with the conviction that this way of love is what our world needs now … while at the same time, he saw many getting distracted, turning away – as we also see, now more than ever!
Seeing the film challenged me: Does my heart burn with the same zeal? Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Father Peyton were chosen to be friends of the Lord. And we are too - each with his/her own mission.
Let us pray that our hearts will burn so strong with love for Jesus and Mary that it will catch fire in the hearts of others too. Amen.
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PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON will be in theaters October 9! To learn more or subscribe for updates, visit PrayTheFilm.com
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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.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
