Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

My beloved Jesus, these words of Yours pierce my heart. I feel as though You are saying to me, with a gaze both sorrowful and merciful, “What are you waiting for? Will you respond now? Will you truly listen to Me and do what I ask of you?”
You want me to be truly happy. You have given me everything I need to begin to be so here on earth, and to rejoice with You for all eternity. You love me beyond measure, You have died for me, You have remained with us in the Eucharist, You have sent me the Holy Spirit, You have given me Your Mother, the Sacraments… And yet You look at me with sadness, because You see that I still go on seeking happiness where it cannot be found. I still cling to other masters in my heart, which prevent You from reigning there. Masters that seem harmless: that extra time on my phone, that little “necessity,” my work, insisting on being right… But they are not harmless — they are hidden chains that bind my heart and keep it from being filled with Your Love.
And filled with Your Love, my heart could then truly love — to love You, to love my spouse, my family… just as You desire. And that is where true happiness lies.
Lord, today I want to say “yes” to You, once and for all. With the firm determination to do Your Will in every moment. With the help of Your grace, I know I will succeed. Thank You so much, Jesus.

Brought down to Married Life

Brian: Oh Alice, what a fright — what a dream I had! I dreamt that you died. How dreadful! And I realised just how much I love you, and how many opportunities I have wasted to tell you, to look into your wonderful eyes, to be tender with you…
Alice: How sweet you are! I often think that if I were to die today, how much would be left undone. Of what use would all the time spent on chats, series, my little whims… have been? That is why I try each day to begin with prayer and Mass, so that the Lord may centre me and I may only seek to do His Will, not mine.
Brian: The truth is, it shows. I’ve been noticing for some time how you’re more affectionate with me, you lose your temper less, and I see you more joyful and happy. And I want to follow you. I don’t want to waste any more time. I see clearly that true happiness lies in ceasing to look at myself and beginning to look only at the Lord and at you. Please help me to start building daily habits — you know how hard I find it. Shall we go to Mass together and pray beforehand? Or is there something else you think would help me?
Alice: What helps me a great deal is making small hidden sacrifices: that piece of bread I don’t eat, that shirt left on the floor which I pick up without saying anything, that last word I hold back… Those little sacrifices, made with love, I offer to God for our marriage, and they really help me to turn away from myself and focus on what matters.
Brian: That’s wonderful! I’ll pray about what I can do. It will be hard for me, but I know that with the Lord’s help — and yours — I will manage.

Mother,

What joy it is to see how, by Your Hand, this path of prayer and the sacraments is already bearing fruit. And through mortification, helping me to overcome my selfishness… A thousand thanks, Mother! Praise be to the Lord!