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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
In the midst of a political upheaval in our own country, with a few leaders on the world stage that are acting like bullies, there are some timely words that God has for us in these Scripture readings today. He addressed both in the readings we heard at mass today. To the political bullies and to those who have no need of God since money has become their god, the psalm response from the Book of Deuteronomy had a reminder for both, “It is I who deal death and give life."
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. It is one of the most important Feast Days of Our Blessed Mother. This day is also important to me personally because I was ordained on August 14, 2005, and I celebrated my Thanksgiving Mass on August 15. My vocation story has Our Blessed Mother somewhere in the mix. Possibly you wouldn’t have me as a priest without her intercession. Keep praying for me!
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We kayaked across Yellowstone’s Lewis Lake, up the Lewis River and halfway across Shoshone Lake to the campsite. Stepping out, stepping back, a different perspective unfolded as we celebrated the Eucharist on the shore. This gaze opened into infinity, finding and awakening vision: the faculty to be able to see and to understand, where sometimes only nature can reawaken this sense. At the same time, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, in a similar and complementary way awakens our vision, yet with even greater clarity and depth.
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Celebrating family life | Learn more about our faith
Below is the beautiful “Exhortation Before Marriage” from the 1962 Roman Ritual. In the Catholic marriage rite before Vatican Council II, many priests used this to form at least part of their sermon.
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It was the Alleluia antiphon that stayed with me as I sat in the chapel seeking inspiration for the Scripture readings today. “Let your countenance shine upon your servant and teach me your statues.” In other words, let your face be seen by me and teach me. The prophet Ezekiel was so blessed. God used him to let a rebellious people know that their rebellion was about to end in captivity and exile.
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As a little boy, I remember my mother pointing me in the direction of the night sky to view the moon and the stars. I recall her enthusiasm for me to appreciate the moonlight and the myriad of stars populating the darkness. She told me about moon phases, the North Star, and the Big Dipper. I could tell she found beauty and consolation in the night sky. Her delight in the heavens became mine. In those days, there was less artificial light to interfere with stargazing.
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