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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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An older man collapsed on Brooklyn Street and was taken to Kings County Hospital. From a faded address in the man's wallet, the hospital authorities tried deciphering the name and address of a marine, who appeared to be his son. They then made an emergency call for the marine. When the marine arrived, the older man reached out his hand feebly. The marine took it and held it tenderly for the next four hours until the older man died. After the man had passed away, the marine asked, " Who was that old man?" The nurse said, "Wasn't that your father?" "No," said the marine, "but I saw he needed a son, so I stayed."
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Today’s readings are remarkable. First, there is the majestic and supernatural imagery of the first reading from Daniel, which prefigures Jesus’ Transfiguration. Then there’s Saint Peter’s eyewitness account of the majesty of God revealed in Jesus in our second reading and described in the Gospel of Mark.
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If you have ever visited Rome and had a Catholic tour guide, you most likely were taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, whose dedication we celebrate today. If you haven’t been, I’d highly recommend it. It is a beautiful and grand basilica dedicated to honor our Blessed Mother. The original basilica was built in the fourth century under Pope Liberius and was named after him. However, after the council of Ephesus proclaimed Mary, the Mother of God, the basilica was repaired and reconsecrated to honor the Blessed Mother. It is called “major”…is because it is the oldest and largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady.
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In the Gospel of Matthew we hear, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
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The story is told of an unbeliever who died after willing his farm to the devil. The next of kin sued to have the will voided on the ground that this was a case in which the will of the deceased could not be carried out. After much legal research and judicial pondering, the Court decision read as follows: “It is decided that every effort should be made to carry out the deceased’s wish. And the best way to carry out the deceased's wish is to allow the farm to grow weeds, soil to erode, the well to run dry, and the house, barn, and fences to rot. In the opinion of the Court, the best way to leave something to the devil is to do nothing.”
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In the Book of Jeremiah (13:1-11) we find a reminder to listen to God so that we stay close to Him in our lives. In contrast to the people of Judah who chose to disobey God, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus chose to listen and learn from God, even when they didn’t understand God’s ways. This holy family of two sisters and a brother became close friends of Jesus and naturally when Lazarus became seriously ill sent for Jesus to heal him. Jesus responds by saying, “This illness is not to end in death, but it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” And instead of leaving immediately, surprisingly he remained in place.
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