World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Celebrating family life | Lenten Reflections | family prayer
When our children were toddlers, we would socialize with other young families and try to shape how the kids played together, sharing, cooperating, taking turns, and being polite. It was a developmental challenge. When the little ones aren’t ready to share, forcing the issue can be counter-productive. It takes creative coaching and then waiting for development to take its course.
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We are in a new phase of Lent. There is no longer a focus on penance but on promise. The Prophet Isaiah describes God's promise to Israel. During the Babylonian exile, Israel felt that God had forgotten them because of their grievous sin. They believed God had "kicked them to the curb" or "thrown them under the bus." God uses colorful figures of speech to reassure them of His love despite the discipline He had enforced.
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We were trying to organize storage space recently and found a box of photo albums of our oldest grandchildren when they were very young. Many photos were from summertime, and the kids were playfully exploring the perennial gardens we had planted. It was a consolation for us to revisit the memories of the kids’ early childhood surrounded by vibrant blossoms. We didn’t get very far with our organizing. We spent most of our time leisurely reminiscing over the pictures.
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Celebrating family life | Holy lives of inspiration
When today’s saint's parents died when he was only a boy, his brother, who was a priest named Damien, lovingly took care of him. To honor this act of charity, his younger brother changed his name to Peter Damien. This future saint dedicated his life to God as a hermit and monk who became an abbot and ultimately a cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He’s known for his work in reforming the clergy of his diocese from laxness and immorality to fidelity to God and holiness of life.
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Celebrating family life | Lenten Reflections | family prayer
New life is abundant in the springtime. Newborn fawns, little bunnies, and fresh white lambs seem to suddenly appear. As much as it may be anticipated each year, the charm of ducklings in a row, flowers adorning even the trees, and the birdsong's beauty are always more magical than remembered from the spring before.
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One of our grandsons is preparing for First Communion and recently practiced for first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With just a little humor, I asked his parent if the young one had been “repentant” during the practice. I was told that it was “just practice.” I wonder what a seven-year-old understands by repentance and reconciliation. At seven, we all knew what it was to hurt, feel guilt, be alone, or wish we hadn’t done or said something. We understood the need for healing and to have friendship restored.
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