GOSPEL

It would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came up to Jesus. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
  ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:
‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’

The Gospel of the Lord

Spouses Under His Wings

Lord, today I weep with You for all the spouses who do not embrace the grace of the Sacrament, a grace You suffered so much to give us, flowing from Your pierced Heart. How many souls remain empty, how many of God’s Projects of Love remain unfinished, left barren. We want to keep walking with You, hand in hand with Mary, today, tomorrow, and the day after… for as long as You will it, for Your greater Glory and the salvation of marriages.

Applied to Married Life:

Mark: How much grace we’ve let slip away since the day God united us in our Sacrament. All that time without considering the Lord between us… Such pain for the Lord and for us.
Anna: Absolutely. It’s been awful. But today, we say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” He has come to redeem our marriage.
Mark: Today, I also want to cry out to the heavens: “Blessed is the wife who has come to me in the name of the Lord.” Today, I welcome you as His messenger, as the true help He has given me for my sanctification.
Anna: The Lord has changed how I see you, and I want to cry out too: “Blessed is the husband who has come to me in the name of the Lord.” Thanks to the Lord, I see you today as a blessing from heaven.

Mother,

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Clinging to You, we walk towards Him, helping other spouses to take shelter under His wings like young chicks.