World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
When you first look at today’s readings, they don’t seem to have much common ground. The first reading from Exodus is a series of God’s “great deeds,” meant to elicit gratitude from the Israelites, a gratitude that flows from God’s fidelity.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Strengthening family unity
What a blessing! Imagine the blessing of living some thirty years in the same little village as Jesus. Maybe you and He escape the heat of summer as children by wading into the cool refreshing waters of the Sea of Galilee. Or He brings you into the workshop where you watch Joseph plaining a sturdy, sweet-scented, cedar board to be used for a family dining table.
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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.
Holy lives of inspiration | Love thy Neighbor | Strengthening family unity
As a child my siblings and I loved to have guests come to our home. We were happy because we knew that a rooster would be prepared, and we would have the best food with special dishes and sweets. A guest coming to our home was like God coming. It was the time we were on our best behavior, especially if the guest was a priest or a nun.
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Celebrating family life | Holy lives of inspiration | Strengthening family unity
Pope Francis has established the fourth Sunday of July to be celebrated from now on as the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Yesterday was the first annual such celebration, and it came at the moment when so many elderly and grandparents have experienced neglect and isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions, nursing-home policies, and fear for their safety prevented loved ones from visiting and embracing grandparents.
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Return to the Church | Strengthening family unity
A lay preacher received a call from another church offering him a higher salary. He spent much time in prayer, trying to discern what God wanted him to do. One day a friend met the preacher’s son on the street and enquired about his dad’s position, and if he had made a decision. The boy replied, “Well, Dad is praying, but Mom is packing!”
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Families need time together to function at their best and to feel close and connected. Sometimes, because life moves at such a rapid pace, we end up trying to fit all those moments into holidays and vacations. But deep down we know we need more. We need connection with each other and with God every day to be our best.
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