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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Family Activities | Holy Week | catholic family life
If you’re like me, you’re finding yourself almost all the way through Lent with not a whole lot to show for it. This penitential season hasn’t been a total loss — sure, I’ve mostly ungrudgingly observed my small fast and I’ve checked the box of daily prayer, but life keeps coming at us a mile a minute. In typical “me” fashion, my guard is up, my heart is restless, and my soul hasn’t been transformed. The good news is that until that final perseverance when death calls us home, there is no deadline when it comes to transformation. We know that God gives countless opportunities to choose Him, even until our final hour. Like the good thief crucified next to Jesus, there is still time to change our hearts.
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There’s a story told of a little boy who came home from school one day, upset and confused. His classmate had laughed at his lunch, the traditional food his mother had lovingly packed. Embarrassed, he asked her not to send it again. His mother, heartbroken, didn’t scold him. She simply sat with him and said, “Son, sometimes when you carry something different, people throw stones. But don’t drop it, because It’s your treasure that you are carrying.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus is once again under fire, not for breaking the law or causing riots, but for being Himself. He says, “I and the Father are one.” And immediately, the people around Him pick up stones to throw. Not just metaphorical ones, real stones, the kind that silences, punish, and erase.
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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.
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Do you believe in miracles? Listen to the compelling homily from Father Jomon Kalladanthiyil, C.S.C., as he shares powerful insights into the lives of Saint Andre Bessette and Venerable Patrick Peyton. Prayer is essential to a life of faith, as was also illustrated in the life of our Father in faith, Abraham.
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“If you make my word your home, you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31) It’s been great to be back home, here at Holy Cross Family Ministries headquarters, before returning to service at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. We started our mission at Lourdes about 10 years ago, having realized that Father Peyton had a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Right around now, the last two weeks before Easter, it’s not hard to lose our focus on Lent. It’s been about four weeks since Ash Wednesday and human nature being what is it is we can start to trail off in our prayer, fasting and charitable works. So, today’s gospel from John is perfectly placed on our Lenten journey, our preparation for the great celebration of Easter; in it, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and now us about His divine origin and mission.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Today’s reading from the book of the prophet Daniel is gripping — like something out of a courtroom drama. Two respected elders, full of deceit, attempt to destroy the reputation and life of a virtuous woman. Susanna is cornered not just by their lust but by the terrifying weight of injustice. Imagine this: a young girl, falsely accused, standing in the center of a circle, condemned by powerful men. Her voice is trembling, her hands shaking, but her heart is rooted in something unshakable — truth when truth hangs in the balance. And yet, she stands firm, even when no one believes her. She cries out not to the world but to God. And God hears. That’s Susanna’s story — truthfully, it could be ours, too. Susanna’s story is not ancient history. It’s happening every day — when character is questioned, when assumptions are made, and when the voices of the innocent are too soft to be heard over the noise of pride, gossip, and power.
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