The dog calls us to prayer.

One of the great teachings of the Church is that work and prayer go together. Many catholic organisations and indeed religious orders have disappeared over the past forty years because they suddenly considered that prayer was somehow less important than action. Catholic organisations have suffered and only those which kept true to their founders have remained and flourished. I joined the Knights of St Columba recently and was overjoyed that the devoition to Mary in that organisation has not diminished and at several parts of the meeting we interrupt business to pray. It remains truly catholic and loyal to the Holy Father. Prayer must become something routine in our lives if we are to grow spiritually. It cannot be put off for this reason or that reason for where there is a routine of prayer there is a spiritual growth. Strangely enough I was reminded of this today by of all things my dog. At 2.45pm it began to bark furiously and at first there seemed to be no reason. It was an unusual day in our home. My wife had decided to move about the furniture in our bedroom and I had come downstairs to carry out some task. The dog barked furiously. Then I caught on. It was at this time of the day that my wife and I invariably say the Divine Mercy, it was the routine she expected and she seemed a little upset that it was not being carried out. We accepted this message from heaven, stopped what we were doing, and began the Divine Mercy ending with the 3 o`clock prayer. Jesus and Mary look forward to our prayers so much. The dog prays in his way lying on the carpet comfortably while we pray. As children of Mary that is the best way to set up the day. Have definite times for prayer and do not cancel them except to deal with the family. Our mother Mary will always want us to look after our families first.