World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Healing the family | Strengthening family unity
A traveler came to an old inn and knocked on the door with the iron knocker. No answer. He tried again; only a hollow echo. But he knew people were inside; he had seen them in the window. So, with growing anger, he grabbed the knocker and banged it 10-15 times. Then he heard footsteps approaching and saw a face of an older woman out of the latch hole who timidly inquired whether the good gentleman wanted to come in. "Did I want to come in?" he shouted. "Anyone who knocked as I did must have."
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Healing the family | Strengthening family unity
Every now and then I’ll notice how people in television news or ads will refer to getting together with friends and family. Back when I was growing up, the order would have been reversed; we always said family and friends. It seems like such a simple thing; maybe even trivial. But as one of my seminary professors always said, “Words matter … pay attention to them and fight for their use and meaning.”
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Seasonal Reflections | Strengthening family unity
In both our First Reading and the Gospel we hear reference to “blindness.” The Prophet Isaiah, speaking of the Messianic time, notes that a time is coming when “out of the gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” Many centuries down the road in the gospel we hear Jesus heal two blind men, painting a fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies.
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Seasonal Reflections | Strengthening family unity
If you wanted to sum up the meaning of Advent, this beautiful and reflective season of waiting, you could do it with just one profound question: What are you waiting for? What are we waiting for? We're waiting for Christ, who came as a baby, who will come again in glory, but who is also here now. He's present in the laughter of our children, in the forgiveness we share after an argument, in the quiet moments of prayer as a family.
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Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity
A family of four embarked on a ten-day cruise, carrying with them a staggering 13 bags. As they prepared to board the ship, the absent-minded husband suddenly exclaimed, “I forgot to bring the white bag from the main table!” Annoyed by the abundance of luggage, his wife retorted, “Thirteen bags are already more than enough! Why do you need another one?”
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Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity
Imagine the scene: a young couple, filled with love and faith, bringing their little girl to the Temple. She's just three years old, barely more than a toddler. They're dedicating her life to God's service. Can you imagine the trust, the hope, the immense love that must have filled their hearts?
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