x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Learn more about our faith | Love thy Neighbor
Let me begin with something every Indian, whether in Mumbai, Delhi, Dallas, or Denmark, knows deeply in their bones: no matter the crisis, there’s always a song and dance for it. In Indian cinema, if you have watched, characters break into song at the strangest moments. A couple just met five minutes ago? Suddenly they’re on top of the Alps, dancing in sync. The hero is heartbroken? Cue the sad violin on a rain-drenched street. A wedding is coming up? Get ready for six different dance numbers with matching costumes. Even we Indians laugh about it, but deep down, we also love it. Because these songs aren’t just music, they’re the language of the soul.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Love thy Neighbor
Speaking about slavery is considered a hot-button issue given the complex global history that we all know about. Without implying in any way that slavery is morally right under any circumstances, the fact of the matter is that slavery has been practiced in many human societies around the world. It is a sad part of human history around the world and a reality of human brokenness.
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.
Today's Gospel resonates with a profound tenderness, a direct whisper from the heart of Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." "I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be." This is the very essence of our Christian hope: we are not destined for isolation, for a lonely end. Our ultimate purpose is communion, a deep and abiding connection with Christ himself.
Share
The ending of our first reading and the beginning of today's Gospel passage both convey important messages about humility. In the first, John the Baptist says about Jesus: “Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.” This is in response to John’s good work in preparing the way for the Lord, but the people wondered if John was the Messiah they had long awaited. John humbly and correctly explains to the people who he is and how he relates to the Messiah.
Share
I come from India where the most famous sport is cricket. In the game of cricket, a team consists of eleven players on the field, and a twelfth man. The "12th man" is a substitute player who primarily serves as a reserve player, always on the bench, never in the spotlight, yet faithfully attending every practice, studying every play, and cheering on their teammates. While not part of the playing eleven, this player is crucial for stepping in when a teammate is injured or needs a break. The 12th man often delivers drinks, equipment, and messages to players on the field, ensuring the team's smooth operation during a match. Their role, though behind the scenes, is vital for team morale and readiness.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
God teaches us in many different ways and places. Back when I lived in Taunton at St. Mary’s I used to go for walks around the neighborhood and it wasn’t long before I noticed all the Our Lady of Fatima statues with the three kneeling children in so many front yards. Now, this was a new thing for a guy from Quincy where the Irish who had a statue of the Blessed Mother kept her in the back yard all to ourselves! Because Quincy was mostly Irish and Italian, we focused on Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Knock. So, there I was walking through a new experience of faith and one that wasn’t in backyards but right out front.
Share
