x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Today, both our First Reading and the Gospel confront the dangerous illusion of self-sufficiency. They confront the notion that we human beings feel we have acquired so much power, fame, and wealth that we no longer need God in our lives! It is the illusion we see in the life of the Prince of Tyre who acquired so much wealth and power that he declared: “I am a god!” It is the difficulty the Lord addresses when he said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” Human history has shown that whenever individuals, families, and even countries become so successful in wealth, power, and fame, they grow so comfortable that they start questioning whether they still need God in their lives! It is at that point that you start to see celebrities who were raised in the Church, educated by the Church, and given a big head start in life, stop attending Church.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
There are some people who become extremely efficient in a crisis. The house could be on fire, the roof collapsing, and they can calmly ask, “Has anyone turned off the coffee machine?” Every family seems to have one. At a funeral, while everyone else is crying, this person is locating the cemetery paperwork, counting sandwiches, finding the missing uncle, checking who needs a ride from the airport, and asking whether the visiting priest has been given lunch. The same thing happens in ordinary crises. A relationship is struggling, a parent is sick, a child is in trouble, or someone has just received terrible news, but the person is concerned about the groceries that have to be bought, the dog that has to be taken out, the bills that have to be paid. Sometimes we mistake this competence for strength. We say, “Look at her. She is holding up beautifully.” Or He is handling it so well.” But occasionally “holding up beautifully” or handling so well simply means that the heart has not yet been given a safe moment to fall apart or to grieve.
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.
catholic devotions | gardens | prayer
Samantha Stephenson shares what gardening has taught her about the spiritual life. What is summer to you? Does it taste like watermelon and smell like sunscreen? For gardeners, summer smells like warm earth and tastes of homegrown tomatoes bursting with tangy sweetness. It also means a sweaty, daily battle with vicious villains: squash bugs and weeds. When I first planted my backyard garden, I chose the “no dig” method of layering cardboard and compost right over our weeds. I hauled in wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow until our small patch of earth was no longer a snarled mess, but an unmistakable garden plot ready for planting. It was exhausting work, but each shovelful brimmed with the promise of homegrown vegetables, and that vision drove me on. I naively believed the no-dig promise that the cardboard and mulch would be enough to smother the weed seeds lurking below.
Share
Contemplative Prayer | Father figures | catholic family life
Helen Syski’s toddler shows her that true spiritual childhood is seeing all the terrors of the world from the safety of our heavenly Daddy’s arms. The peace-shattering BOOM resounded across the harbor. My toddler screamed in fright as the first celebratory sparkles snapped and crackled above us on the Fourth of July. He had been proudly a part of the cousin pack enjoying dessert until shock and fear sent him running for the arms of his father. The rest of the fireworks display was peaceful. My husband turned so that our toddler, peeping shyly out over his daddy’s bicep, could gaze in growing wonder at the sparkly dandelions exploding into the sky. Snuggled deep in Daddy’s arms he was able to process this new situation, knowing and trusting that Daddy could handle it. If Daddy wasn’t afraid, he didn’t need to be either.
Share
Assumption | Blessed Virgin Mary | Catholic Family Fun
Catholic Mom contributor Susan Ciancio offers concrete suggestions that families and individuals can use to celebrate the Blessed Mother on any day of the year.
Share
Strongest stories in our families are built from certain landmarks. And many occasions are about those moments we managed to come out something that we thought we could not make it. When people gather as family, they always recall these stories, And they will begin like… “Do you remember how far we have come from? Do you remember that moment I did not want to speak to you for a week, but I could not resist. Do you remember when you borrowed me money I lent you even when you had not paid previous debt. Do you remember when you I bought you that beautiful golden wedding ring….and the story continues with do you remember…
Share
