GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 12:1-12

They seized the beloved son, killed him and threw him out of the vineyard
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.

The Gospel of the Lord

Family Sacrifices

The story of the Ugandan martyrs, whom we commemorate today, is beautiful, including that of Charles Lwanga. It was a cruel slaughter orchestrated by King Mwanga, who surrounded himself with young Christians. Some time later, influenced by Islamic customs, he fell into the worst debauchery. As the young Christians opposed his deplorable advances, he initiated a bloody persecution against “all those who prayed.” This led to a series of horrific tortures and martyrdoms, with some even volunteering for the ordeal. The result? Shortly thereafter, the persecutors died miserable deaths, while the masses flocked to be baptised. Today, this has resulted in a flourishing faith, with six dioceses bearing great Christian fruit. Another example of how martyrs have sustained and proliferated the Church through the offering of their blood. Let us offer our small sacrifices, which do not reach the level of bloodshed (if God wills it so), but which the Lord highly values and which make us His witnesses. As today’s Psalm says: “I will be with him in trouble.”

Applied to Married Life:

Leo: What do you think is the best testimony we can leave to our children?
Scarlett: I believe it’s the sacrifices made out of love. It is the best testimony Christ left us, showing that He loves us to the utmost. It is also the testimony of many martyrs who have sustained and proliferated the Church.
Leo: Do you think the children should be aware of these sacrifices?
Scarlett: I think so. Christ did not hide His Sacrifice.
Leo: That sounds excellent. What do you think about us committing to a sacrifice out of love for each other and sharing it with our children? Perhaps they might even want to join in somehow.
Scarlett: I love it. Family sacrifices. It sounds wonderful.

Mother,
We offer ourselves to the Father through You. You will transform our small deeds into offerings pleasing to God. To Him be the glory and praise forever.