GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Luke 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
The Word of the Lord
Steadfast in His Will
The Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill Him. It may seem that they are concerned for Jesus’ well-being; however, what they really want is to take advantage of Herod’s persecution of Jesus to make Him stop preaching and thereby prevent Him from fulfilling His saving mission.
We too may hear similar warnings from those around us when our marriage seems to be failing: “You’d be better off separating”, “It’s not worth it”, “You don’t deserve this”, “You have a right to be happy”… Be careful! Let us not be led astray. Wrapped in “concern” and “compassion” comes the temptation to abandon our mission, to give up God’s plan for us and for our family.
But Christ remains steadfast in the Father’s will, and He gives us the strength to remain steadfast in His will as well. Let us turn to sacramental grace. Our Sacrament is a source of grace! Jesus wants to protect us as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
Applied to married life
Claire: I’m very worried about our daughter. Her marriage seems to be getting worse and worse, and I can see how much she is suffering. Perhaps it would be best if they separated.
Peter: She doesn’t deserve this. She has a right to be happy. But what if we are encouraging her to abandon her mission?
Claire: That’s true, but we can’t simply ask her to endure it without helping her.
Peter: Let’s walk alongside her. Let’s help her seek the Lord in this situation and, above all, pray for them. Let’s not forget that the Sacrament of Marriage is a source of grace, and that Christ can give them the strength they currently lack.
Claire: Yes, let us ask the Lord to protect them under His wings and teach us to accompany them with love, never losing hope in His grace and in His will being fulfilled. When we embrace the Cross, it is Christ Himself who carries it for us, and that is why it becomes light.
Peter: Sacred Heart of Jesus, in You we trust.
Mother,
May we know how to lovingly embrace God’s will in every circumstance, just as you did, with complete trust. Blessed are you, Mother!