GOSPEL
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Love The Humiliation.
We see how the Lord feels great compassion towards others and none towards Himself. He cares that others are well-fed, yet He sacrifices His life on the Cross.
Self-pity is a horror. It is a degenerative disease of marital love that leads to total destruction. It all comes from pride and being offended by everything the spouse does or doesn’t do. Therefore, pride must be exterminated. How? By making an effort every time one feels offended? Yes, but it’s not enough. It is necessary to love the despises I receive. Loving them will allow me to free myself from that “fake king”, my pride, and will allow the King of Love, Christ, to reign in my heart. Then I can begin to love as He loves.
Applied to married life:
Adele: Forgive me, dear, because I am insisting on changing you. I see your sins, and it feels like I am banging my head against a wall that doesn’t listen, and I have to shout for it to understand the harm it does to me and our children. But when I see how you suffer, I break down. It is compassion that helps me regain love for you.
Declan: Forgive me, Adele, because I feel attacked with each of your corrections, and I respond defending myself against you like an enemy. I know you want the best for me, and you want to help me become holy. But I don’t receive your corrections as good, probably because of my pride. But I know I have to overcome it. I want to love humiliations because they will defeat that pride and allow me to love you with God’s love.
Adele: I forgive you, Declan. Shall we be kind to each other again?
Declan: I´d love it. I forgive you too, Adele.
Mother,
Help us destroy our self-pity so that we do not worship golden calves that are not my God. To Him be glory and praise forever.”