World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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Luke's Gospel reminded me of an expression from my childhood: “You’re brothers! Act like it!” My brother Pat and I heard that more than a few times from our Mom when we’d be in a battle of words or fists…and it always did the trick. Growing up in Quincy, your family was a big part of your identity and a source of strength. Many conversations began with, “My Mom or Dad were just telling me… or My brother Pat’s coming with us too.” There was a definite understanding of who was part of our immediate…and extended family. At Mass each Sunday, I don’t remember the priest using the phrase “My brothers and sisters (in Christ)” in his homily very often.
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When I thought and prayed about today’s readings, two bullet points came to mind. The first is that we are spiritual men and women and boys and girls. The second is that we have a Savior who has come to set us free from the power of evil and redeem us. To the first point, you may have had a conversation with someone who says they don’t go to church, but they’re “spiritual.” On one hand, you might feel badly that they are not connected to their parish or yours…and all that it offers. But there’s reason for hope.
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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.
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Father Wilson Thoppilan, C.S.C., a priest of The Congregation of Holy Cross and Executive Director of Family Rosary Crusade Philippines, provides today's Homily Video Reflection. In addition to the homily video, we've included questions to encourage family discussion on this thought-provoking topic.
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Father Aji Paul, C.S.C., a priest of The Congregation of Holy Cross from India, provides today's Homily Video Reflection.
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Right now, in the United States, the news of the presidential campaign is a constant: what one candidate says about the other, questions about the vice-presidential candidates, and what all of this will mean for the next four years of our lives. Today’s saint is a good reminder of what is possible when we unite faith in God with our works here on earth, including family life and our civic duties.
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Imagine for a moment that you’ve had a major disagreement with someone, and then unfortunately you both get arrested and taken to prison. That’s part of the life story of today’s two saints, Hippolytus and Pontian. The first, Hippolytus, was a priest and prominent theologian in the second and third centuries. He is credited with writing a prayer that became part of the Eucharistic prayer used at most daily Masses. Hippolytus also often disagreed theologically and pastorally with popes. In fact, he would do battle with four popes who would become saints; that’s quite a track record. It was the final one of his life, Pope Pontian with who Hippolytus was arrested with and banished to Sardinia by the Emperor Maximus.
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