Marist Laity Australia

Introduction to Marist Laity

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Top Rated Web pages for January 2025

Number	Page	Likes
1	Why My Father Did not Pray - Father Jim Father Jim’s speech, 'Why My Father Didn't Pray', reflects on prayer as a relationship with God rather than simply a way of informing God about our needs. He compares God’s desire for us to express our desires and fears directly to the relationship between parents and children, where parents cherish when children openly share their hearts. Father Jim explains that just as a parent prefers their child’s honest communication, God wants us to trust Him enough to voice our hopes, regrets, and dreams. Using the story of Jesus healing the blind man, he emphasizes that God, like Jesus, invites us to name our deepest desires and speak them openly in prayer. Through this process, we exercise and refine our desires, as St. Augustine says, by bringing our true needs to light and aligning them with God’s will. Father Jim contrasts the blind man's prayer for healing, which Jesus grants, with the disciples’ desire for status, which Jesus lovingly redirects, helping them grow. In this way, honest prayer can help us understand our true needs and allow God to purify our desires, drawing us closer in relationship with Him.	2
2	Mindful Colouring - Jesus temptation in the desert Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully.	2
3	Song - Deep Cries Out And I've got a river of living water. A fountain that never will run dry (Sing it out). And it's open heaven You're releasing. And we will never be denied. ('Cause we're stirring up)	2
4	The Beatitudes I am puzzled by the attraction of this text. So many people love the Beatitudes. Yet it is a very difficult text to understand. Comprehend. How can the poor be blessed? How can the grieving be blessed? How can the persecuted be blessed? How can the rejected be blessed? What is happening here?	2
5	A Christmas Prayer - for your family Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring the first week of advent through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer.	2