Gospel of the Day
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 11:1–13
And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him:
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
And he said to them:
“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
And he said to them:
“Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come off his journey to me, and I have nothing to set before him; and he from within should answer and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.
For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
And which of you, if he ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? or a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask him?”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Intimacy with Him
The Lord desires deeper intimacy with us. This loving relationship with Him grows through prayer. He speaks to us in all things. He seeks us. And the relationship we have with Him — and with our spouse — is strengthened in prayer.
Because it is in prayer that we come to know Him, discover Him, contemplate Him… and love Him even more. And as our love grows, so too does our desire to unite ourselves more deeply with Him.
Through prayer, we are made capable of union — both with God and with our spouse.
For when I contemplate Him in prayer, and realise how deeply I am loved, I am then able to give that love to my spouse.
It is in prayer that He promises to give us the Holy Spirit, and it is the Spirit who makes our union possible.
Thank You, Lord, for revealing the power of prayer.
Applied to Married Life
Teresa: Have you noticed how much Jimena and Elías have changed lately?
Gustavo: Yes, they did one of those Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreats — just a weekend! — and came back glowing. And they haven’t stopped since!
Teresa: She told me their secret is persevering in prayer.
Gustavo: Persevering?! They’re the most inconsistent couple I know!
Teresa: Well, she said that when they pray, they experience a joy they get nowhere else — and they’re growing closer every day.
Gustavo: Wow. Who would have thought? Maybe we should try going on one of those retreats…
Teresa: I think it’s a great idea. If it helps us grow closer to each other and to God — count me in!
Mother,
Thank you for helping us to persevere in prayer, so we may grow closer to Him.
Blessed be the Lord forever!