Fr. Mark-Mary explains the biggest tragedy in our world today: lack of prayer.
There are a lot of things happening in our society that should be alarming to us as Christians. Most of this is due to the fact that this world is not our calling, and that we are really meant for a life in Heaven. But when we’re looking at the things happening around us, the first thing that we should notice is the simple fact that faithful Christians aren’t praying.
Prayer is where all practice of the faith must begin. If we don’t have a relationship with Jesus, and don’t know how to talk and listen to him in prayer, then all the other elements of the faith become lost. Sure, it’s important to pray the rosary, go to adoration, and know scripture, but if we have people in our community who don’t even know how to pray, then all those other things come second.
Sometimes in evangelization, we get so caught up in preaching specific elements of the faith that we forget the foundation that is built beneath all of it: a relationship with Christ. Without a relationship with Christ – without conversation with him in prayer – all other practices are in vain. There will never be order, peace, and truth in the world if we don’t fill ourselves with order, peace, and truth first.
What the world needs is Jesus, and he’s not going to be out in the world if he doesn’t already exist in our hearts. Take today as the first step towards praying more. Whether it be an extra 5, 10 or 15 minutes, make an effort to communicate more with our Lord. Let’s respond to the world by returning to the Lord.
Meet Fr. Mark-Mary
Father Mark-Mary was ordained as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR) in 2018 and lives at a friary in the Bronx.
The mission of the CFRs is to wholeheartedly embrace Jesus through fidelity to the Church and her Sacraments. Paired with their commitment to prayer, contemplation, and study of Sacred Scripture, the CFRs serve those around them, especially the poor, in the footsteps of Christ.
Discover beautiful music from the CFRs and Fr. Mark-Mary’s book Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Spiritual Progress, both available from Ascension.
