Gospel
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it, therefore, in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and sisters, and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.’
My dear Lord, thank you for loving me so much and for giving me so much light.
Jesus, you warn us that suffering will come—and plenty of it. Yet you tell us not to be afraid, for you will give us the wisdom to face it and to bear witness to your love in every circumstance. With you, I have nothing to fear. I should not fear those who can harm my body, but those who can harm my soul. All I must do is persevere in following you and trust in you, even when I do not understand. You will take care of the rest.
Jesus, help me truly listen to you—every time. May I never seek my own will, but only yours. For there lies salvation: with you, who are Love, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thank you, my good Jesus.
Applied to Married Life
Miriam: I’m really suffering with my sister. She just doesn’t understand what I’m doing; she criticises me in front of everyone… I don’t know what to do anymore.
Joseph: Miriam, you’re doing wonderfully. The Lord is guiding you—it’s so clear how close you are to Him. Think of how you used to react before: getting angry, arguing with her… Now the peace you’re giving as a witness to your family is remarkable.
Miriam: Thank you for saying that. The truth is that, although it hurts, I am at peace. It must be the peace of Jesus, because humanly it doesn’t make much sense. But I’m trying to act as He would. I don’t always know exactly what to do, but I know for sure that I shouldn’t fall into the trap of getting angry or attacking back. And when I don’t know what to say, I’ve learnt it’s better to stay silent, offer it to the Lord, and let Him take care of it.
Joseph: And He will, without a doubt. This path of prayer, sacraments and little sacrifices is extraordinary. We must say “yes” every day and persevere, but there’s nothing like letting the Lord take charge of our lives.
Miriam: Without clinging to Him, it’s impossible. But when we stay very, very close to Him… He does the work.
Mother,
Be the one who guides me. May I disappear so that you may lead me straight to your Son.
Praise be to God!