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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
On this feast day of St. James, the apostle, we hear a call echoing through the ages — a call to service, to love, to sacrifice. This call isn't just for priests or religious but for every one of us, especially within our families. Our families are the primary arena where this call is lived out, where our service and love have the most profound impact. In today's Gospel, we hear James and John misunderstanding Jesus' message. They sought positions of power and prestige, but Jesus gently corrected their vision. He taught them that true greatness lies not in ruling over others but in serving them.
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Today’s readings invite us to consider the surprising ways God reveals Himself. In the book of Isaiah, we encounter a powerful image of God's sovereignty over nations and rulers. Yet, amidst this powerful display, God's ultimate concern is for the humble and oppressed. This echoes the heart of today's Gospel, where Jesus praises His Father for revealing divine wisdom to the childlike.
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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.
Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
Imagine a family dinner. Laughter fills the room as stories are shared, connections are made. But what happens when the conversation stops? When the busyness of life pushes family time aside? Today's reading from Hosea speaks to that reality, a reality where families drift apart, not just from each other, but also from their faith.
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Love thy Neighbor | Strengthening family unity
Today's Gospel offers a powerful yet simple message: the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This isn't just an ancient saying; it's a cornerstone for Christian living, with the potential to transform our families and our world.
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The story in the first reading begins on a reasonable enough note. King Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard, which was adjacent to his palace, to grow his vegetables. King Ahab asks Naboth to exchange his vineyard for another one or to be given its value in money. Fair enough. King Ahab, who was king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 874 BC, was described in the first book of Kings as "worse than all his predecessors." (1 Kings 16:30)
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Going deeper in the faith is something we all hope for this Lenten season. At times, it involves praying over the Word of God and asking some questions. As I reflected on the first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, I was drawn to Moses’ words of warning to “be earnestly on guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live.”
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