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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday, the day we start 40 days of reorienting our lives to focus on God as the center. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that in this season of Lent we are invited to purify our hearts, seek the love of God, re-learn that true happiness is not found in riches, in human fame, in power, or in human achievement; rather true happiness is found in God alone (CCC 1723). Through the ancient practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we will avail ourselves to God, and demonstrate to Him our desire for repentance and renewal, so as to make Him the center of our lives.
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A mother was preparing pancakes for her two sons, ages 5 and 3, respectively, as the boys argued over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw an opportunity to teach them a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here," she said, "He would say, 'Let my brother take the first pancake; I can wait.'” Kevin, the older one, looked at his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus today!”
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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.
Scripture | how to pray the rosary | prayer
The Rosary is a rich, centuries-old prayer tradition that involves our entire beings: With our hands, we make the Sign the Cross and finger the beads. With our minds, we meditate on the mysteries. With our hearts, we contemplate how we will follow the model of Christ and His mother, Mary. With our voices, we say the prayers.
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Almsgiving | Lent activities | prayer
During the liturgical season of Lent, we faithful are asked to seek the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to practice self-control through fasting, and to serve by giving alms. Lent is an ideal season to travel through with your parish’s women’s group because when we partner with friends in praying, fasting, and almsgiving, we keep each other on track, bear each other’s burdens, and deepen our faith and friendships.
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Love thy Neighbor | Return to the Church
Yesterday, Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, spoke to my colleagues and me about our history and mission. (It was a comprehensive and inspiring address. One that left me reflecting on the past and encouraged me for the present and the future.) Part of Father Fred’s address had to do with how each of us can and is needed to play a role in fulfilling our ministry’s mission to help families pray, with the ultimate review coming when one day we stand before God and give an accounting of how we served Him, our families and all that He put in our lives.
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Every day, we all answer questions. Some we can answer quickly and easily without too much thought. Others require careful reflection. Routine questions fill our daily lives. For example, "What should I wear today?"; "What shall we eat tonight?”; and “What are you watching on TV?" These are questions that have no long-term importance. Some questions in life cannot be answered: “Why do men refuse to ask for directions?"; “Why do women open their mouths when putting on eye makeup?” These are questions that not really significant.
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