GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:20-24

Then he began to reproach the towns where most

of his mighty deeds had been done,

since they had not repented.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!

For if the mighty deeds done

in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon,

they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon

on the day of judgment than for you.

And as for you, Capernaum:

‘Will you be exalted to heaven?

You will go down to the netherworld.’

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst

had been done in Sodom,

it would have remained until this day.

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable

for the land of Sodom on the day

of judgment than for you.”

The word of the Lord

Every gift demands a task

Jesus speaks firmly to the cities where he had devoted more time, more effort, and more miracles — and yet they had not chosen to turn their lives towards the light of Jesus Christ. The same can happen in our marriage: Christ reveals to us the truth of marriage, and he reveals his merciful and perfect love through the Eucharist. He insists, again and again, with his renewing message of welcome and self‑gift, especially through the catechesis of Saint John Paul II — and yet many hearts remain hardened, despite the effort the Lord makes to show us the Truth.

With this, he tells us that the judgement will be more severe for those who have received more light than for those who do not know him. Therefore, the gift we are receiving must lead us to the task of change: purifying our heart, and then giving freely what we have freely received, wherever our Mother leads us.

Applied to married life

William: Felicity, every time we help out on a Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreat, we realise that we’re loving each other with a mediocre kind of love, while witnessing true miracles in the marriages that have been chosen. And we ourselves aren’t moving forward; we’re not taking that firm decision to love in all our actions.

Felicity: William, this is the fourth time the little shepherds in the group have encouraged us to prepare the catechesis, and we keep saying no. Everyone says that preparing it — even though it unsettles them — ends up bringing them closer together because it leads them to live it.

William: And Felicity, we do our conjugal prayer on some days when things are going well, but on many other days we don’t.

Felicity: That’s true. When we do it properly, it helps me to know you better and to think well of you. I believe the Lord is making a real effort to give us the means — even miracles — so that we can walk this path faithfully, with will and humility. And yet we choose to remain lukewarm, anchored in pride and arrogance.

William: I love you very much, Felicity, and it hurts me to wound you — and to wound the Lord as well. I’m going to call the little shepherds and tell them that we’ll prepare the next catechesis, and we’re going to pray together. I ask you to help me persevere every day.

Felicity: How deeply your words move me. Thank you, my God, for this husband you have given me.

Mother,

Thank you for never ceasing to tell us, “Do whatever He tells you,” so that we may be made new, like the wine at the wedding feast of Cana.

Blessed and praised be the Lord.