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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Advent | Catholic Faith | Grandpa's Garden | catholic family life
It’s interesting how often we follow routines around holidays and holy days. Families have traditional ways of decorating, menus for shared meals, and seating arrangements. There is something comforting about the ways we have come to celebrate important events together. Yet, with any celebration, change is in the air. I don’t think things are ever “the same” year to year, celebration to celebration, or day to day. It might seem that way, but we constantly change, we grow, history unfolds, our children grow up, they bring their families to gatherings, and so on. God’s Spirit fills the earth, gives life, and embraces our hearts with the life-changing grace of His presence.
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How do we react when we feel God leading us somewhere or to toward someone, including closer to Him? Sometimes, it’s easy and it all makes sense; we were just waiting for God to confirm what we thought we should do. At other times, we’re like Ahaz, to whom God offers something good—a chance to receive a sign that will strengthen faith in Him—and we just can’t believe it, so we’re hesitant to act.
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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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In the Gospel of Matthew, following the genealogy of Christ, we are introduced to Joseph. Let me share with you a remarkable story I once came across, a story of courage, trust, and unseen protection.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
“Why?” That’s one question asked when today’s gospel appears at Mass. Why do we proclaim and listen to three sets of 14 generations of a family? Couldn’t we just cover the highlights or do what every kid has considered and use the Cliff Notes version? Well, since it’s Sacred Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, there must be a good reason. And here is one: it is the story of a family from Abraham to Jesus, a reminder of how God’s plan for our salvation required generations of a family and centuries of time.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
We all know what a dilemma is. It is a perplexing situation in which a choice has to be made between two or more desirable or undesirable alternatives. Going by that definition, it may be said that it is a choice of the best among the better or worse. Facing dilemmas is like going to a restaurant with an enormous menu. You spend ages deciding between two dishes, only to blurt out “I’ll have the usual” when the waiter or waitress takes your orders! In Matthew's Gospel, the chief priests and the elders find themselves in that exact type of situation. They challenge Jesus’ authority but, in turn, find themselves challenged and in a dilemma about how to answer that question of Jesus. So, they end up choosing the worst of the worst alternatives with that reply: We do not know. Or, in simple terms, no comment.
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