x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Faith Reflection | Hope-2025 | Jubilee of Hope | power of prayer
One of my favorite scenes involving our Blessed Mother is the Wedding at Cana. Some Scripture scholars like to point to its significance because it marks Jesus’ first public miracle. Others think that its main intent was to draw attention to the validity and dignity of marriage. Mariologists sometimes look at it as exemplifying the fact that Jesus and Mary were, like us, human beings with family ties and important life events. All of these are true, and I appreciate each perspective. But I have one of my own. Mary Is Attentive to Others' Needs When I contemplate the Cana event, I am drawn to Mary’s attentiveness. While the other wedding guests are celebrating, she notices that something is amiss. The wedding couple has run out of wine, which, in that time and culture, would have been a huge embarrassment. First-century Jewish weddings were major occasions. Not only the family and relatives, but often the entire town was invited. Additionally, the feasting went on for days as opposed to the way modern weddings are conducted, with a single afternoon or evening reception. It was the responsibility of the wedding couple and their parents to keep everyone happy and satiated with food and drink.
Share
Faith Reflection | Hope-2025 | Jubilee of Hope | power of prayer
On my life’s journey, I am not sure that I have always been aware of hope or have even been hopeful. I know that in my later years, hope and faith are the only things that kept me standing, especially during some of the hardest moments of my life. As a kid, I remember many moments that were scary and maybe even traumatic at the time. Even then, I remember just thinking of Jesus or Mother Mary. I knew they could help, but that’s about it. Coming Back to the Faith I can say that I really didn’t know what faith really meant until my reversion about 19 years ago. I am a cradle Catholic who went to Mass, not understanding what real faith meant. After I lost my mom 25 years ago, I stopped going to Mass. I remember my pain being so overwhelming that I thought God had failed me. After all, if you have faith, you are guaranteed that your prayers will be answered.
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.
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
In the world of marketing, the biggest thing you sell to potential consumers or buyers is how life is going to be easier for them after they buy your product. You persuade buyers that the product you are proposing to them is the best thing that has ever happened in their lives! We hear the message coming through that says “If you buy this lawn mower, you will never have to work the rest of your life!” “If you call this law firm your case is almost won!” “If you buy this car, you will barely have to pay for gas or maintenance!” Essentially, marketers sell to their would-be customers, convenience, comfort, ease, enjoyment, and winning!
Share
Faith Reflection | Hope-2025 | Jubilee of Hope | power of prayer
This Jubilee year reminds us that we are pilgrims of Hope on a journey to encounter God. In joyful anticipation, we trust in God’s promise of salvation. We walk through life with the hope of heaven, a hope that comes from the Lord through the Holy Spirit. In his first letter to early Christians, Saint Peter urged them to remain faithful despite threats of suffering, encouraging them: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15).
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
This week Fr. Fred’s and Fr. Charlie’s homilies connected for me as I read and prayed over today’s readings. Fr. Fred spoke about our baptismal call to be build up the Kingdom of God, each in our own way as missionaries of Jesus. Yesterday, Fr. Charlie spoke of the work of God in a family that was ruptured by jealousy but reconnected in a time of adversity, when Joseph’s brothers unknowingly stood before him. Father Peyton no doubt knew many stories of families that were going through challenging times and would have encouraged them to pray together for God’s assistance. I am sure that he would have spoken about how the grace of God is at work even before we recognize it as was in the case of Joseph and his brothers.
Share
Faith Reflection | Hope-2025 | Jubilee of Hope | power of prayer
Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries to the world with the publication of Rosarium Virginis Mariae in 2002. It changed my life in many ways, and the foundation for that change was praying the Holy Rosary. I’d like to say that I took up the Rosary on my own, but it was an invitation to pray that I could not deny. My daughter came home from a retreat on fire for the Rosary and invited me to join her. My family life and professional demands created an undercurrent of chaos. I can look back on that time with a certain measure of nostalgia. It was the typical chaos one would expect from three teenagers in the house and two working adults. But chaos often picks away at the spirit, and while I wasn’t feeling hopeless, I didn’t have the experience in my faith to understand that the emptiness and yearning I was feeling would be ameliorated with hope in Jesus Christ. First, I had to get to that place of understanding that would lead to trust. The Rosary became the bridge to hope. I couldn’t remember the last time I had prayed the Rosary,
Share
