x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Not too long ago, perhaps just over sixty years ago, in the United States, the pledge of allegiance and a prayer were part of the beginning of the day in public schools. Now, prayer is almost fully excluded, and the pledge of allegiance is a matter of debate.
Share
In Singapore, there is a school program designed to assist children hospitalized or homebound due to illness. Special teachers are assigned to visit these children and help them keep up with their studies and school assignments.
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 | Learn more about our faith
My reflection comes from the Second Book of Kings. In that Book, we have heard about King Ahab and his pagan wife Jezebel—who instigated the murder of many people. Today's First Reading continues with King Ahab and Jezebel dead and their daughter Athalia (who was evil and a pagan like her mother Jezebel) at the center of things.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Today’s powerful Gospel verse raises two questions, one about the tail end of the Our Father and the other about not babbling like the pagans when we pray.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
As you might remember from Wednesday’s first reading, Elijah was the last prophet of God standing---when he challenged the people to choose between God and the pagan god Baal. Well, although he had faith, and God had rewarded it…things weren’t going so well, and today, he’s running for his life. How many times have we heard of prophets like Elijah or Jonah who’ve faced long odds and tried to outrun either the opposition or, at times, God’s mission for them?
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Today's Mass reading gets personal really fast. "If you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there, go and reconcile with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Reflecting on the gospel today, I imagine myself sitting and listening among the disciples, thinking I do well in keeping the commandments. The law seems straightforward, and I'm confident I will meet the challenge of abiding by it. Knowing that I have settled into a comfort zone, I imagine Jesus looking at me and saying, "No, not so fast." I can hear him telling me that it is not enough to merely adhere to the letter of the law; interpreting the commandments like a checklist is not going to cut it—there is more to it than that.
Share
