A Family Fast

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In these last days of September, we continue to pray for Pope Francis' Evangelization Intention this month: Service to the Poor. Pope Francis knows serving the poor is a divine mandate: "Whatever you do for one of these least brothers of mine, you do for me" (Matthew 25:40). We must serve the poor as Jesus did, as he continues to call us to do as the Body of Christ on earth. But the Pope calls this month's prayer request an evangelization intention, because he knows serving the poor also attracts others to Jesus and his Church. We share the Good News of Jesus in our deeds--if not also in our words--when we care for the poor and disenfranchised.

As a mother and as the director of children's ministry at the Apostleship of Prayer, I love to consider how to help children encounter poverty in a prayerful way. Many, many children know poverty from the inside, of course. Even in this prosperous country of ours, too many children experience hunger, poor nutrition, homelessness, and other evils of poverty. I hope my ministry of prayer reaches these children, these younger brothers and sisters of ours. My heart longs for these children to know they are precious to the Lord, even more precious because they share his humble life.

For children who do not live in material poverty, Pope Francis' prayer intention this month may be difficult to understand in a concrete way.     Read on at Praying with Grace!

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