GOSPEL
Can you imagine it?
In the heat of August, lying on cool green grass, healed of your wounds, your needs fulfilled (not stuffed, just satisfied) — and all at zero cost. Now that’s a proper holiday.
But watch out for the fine print:
Uncertain destination: you don’t choose it — your spouse does. Where he is, there you will be (and your rest too).
Full board: you’ll get what you need, not necessarily what you fancy. If you want steak and your husband wants fish… guess what’s on the menu.
“Total Gift” package included: you’ll go last in everything, giving up every privilege for your spouse’s sake.
And then, come September, you’ll return truly renewed.
As though those three weeks had been multiplied.
And you’ll long to keep resting… not just at weekends, but every day — in the love of Christ who feeds you, heals you… and calls you to feed your spouse.
Applied to Married Life:
(Madeleine and Daniel are in the sitting room. Daniel is holding a notepad, and Madeleine is on her phone.)
Daniel: So, shall we confirm the dates? Three weeks — 5th to 26th. Now we just need to pick where we’re going. I’d like something a bit more organised this year.
Madeleine: What if we leave it more open? Somewhere quiet, no schedule. Just you and me.
Daniel: You know I find it calming to have things sorted ahead of time. And if we don’t plan, we might end up anywhere — no place to sleep, grabbing whatever food we find.
Madeleine (smiling): Well… what if that’s okay? What if, in the end, it’s not about the place or the food… but how we are?
Daniel (half-joking): You’re deep today… has the fresh air got to you?
Madeleine (laughing): Maybe. Or maybe I’m hungry… for something else.
Daniel: Hungry for what?
Madeleine: For being really with you. No clock. No pressure. Just you and me. Resting — not from the routine, but from ourselves. From our habits, our demands.
Daniel (slowly lowering his notepad): That… wasn’t on my list. But it sounds… different.
Madeleine: And if we find a place where all we get is bread and tomatoes… we’ll share it.
Daniel: And if you want the seaside and I want the mountains… what then?
Madeleine: We’ll find a river.
(Pause. They look at each other. They smile.)
Daniel (closing the notebook): What if this is the holiday we’ve been needing all these years?
Madeleine: No photos. No agenda. Just you, me… and God — who knows what we really need.
Daniel: Shall we pray and see where He leads?
Mother,
You who found your rest in your Son, teach me to rest in Him by giving myself to my spouse. Praised be the Lord!