GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,he saw the city and wept over it, saying,“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Self-Pity vs. Eucharist

Suffering comes in two forms, and they stand in contrast to one another. One arises from self-centeredness, while the other is born of charitable love. Naturally, I tend to focus on the pain caused by those who offend, dismiss, or undervalue me. However, this is not the supernatural suffering of Christ’s Cross; instead, it is a self-focused sorrow that suffocates the soul and hardens the heart. In contrast, the pain born of charity stems from love for others, especially those in need of salvation. This kind of suffering is co-redemptive. 

Another form of suffering involves self-pity, which arises from the inability to accept my own miseries. On the other hand, there is a sorrow born out of love for others—a selfless pain rooted in regret over not sharing with others the love I have received. The first reflects the despair of Judas Iscariot, while the second reflects the repentance of Peter (Cephas). 

Christ’s pain is rooted in His sorrow for what others lose by rejecting Him and the Kingdom of God. This sorrow, born out of love, does not lead to reproach or condemnation. Instead, it leads to the ultimate gift of love—the Eucharist: a selfless sacrifice for the salvation of sinners who act out of ignorance. Let us follow this example and live in His memory.

Applied to Married Life:

Valentina: (During marital prayer) Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness, for I’ve spent too much time wallowing in self-pity, seeing myself as a victim of the hurt caused by my husband, Joe. I have failed to embrace suffering as an act of love for him—a suffering that is co-redemptive because, through it, I join myself to You and take part in Your redemptive work. 

Joe:Lord, I thank You for the precious gift of Valentina. Forgive me, and help her forgive me, for I’ve been so consumed with rejecting my weakness and rebelling against them that I’ve failed to give her the love You entrusted to me to share in Your name. 

Valentina: Lord, as I look at my husband now, I see his beauty and find myself deeply moved by his efforts to confront his struggles. I’ve decided to dedicate my life to giving myself for him—not lamenting my own pain anymore, but offering myself for his salvation. 

Joe: Lord, You’ve opened my eyes to Valentina’s worth. I’ve resolved to dedicate my life to her sanctification, helping her to come closer to You. I will humble myself and become a foundation on which she can lean as she journeys toward You.

Mother,

Help us live Christ’s example of suffering for love—a pain that becomes a pleasing offering to God. Through Christ, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
all glory is Yours, Almighty Father.  

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak,he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately.So he said,“A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce,‘We do not want this man to be our king.’But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,to learn what they had gained by trading.The first came forward and said,‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!You have been faithful in this very small matter;take charge of ten cities.’Then the second came and reported,‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’And to this servant too he said,‘You, take charge of five cities.’Then the other servant came and said,‘Sir, here is your gold coin;I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’He said to him,‘With your own words I shall condemn you,you wicked servant.You knew I was a demanding man,taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant;why did you not put my money in a bank?Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’And to those standing by he said,‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’But they said to him,‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’He replied, ‘I tell you,to everyone who has, more will be given,but from the one who has not,even what he has will be taken away.Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,bring them here and slay them before me.’”
After he had said this,he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Lord

Taking the Leap for Love

Marriage is like a gold mine—an incredible gift from my Lord, who desires to reign in our hearts. He entrusts it to me so that, together with Him, I can glorify God. 
This gold mine yields fruit on its own, as long as I’m willing to take the risk and invest my life into it. When I do, the Holy Spirit will bring forth His fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…

Applied to married life 

Lisa: I’ve realized something, Thomas. What keeps me from loving you better is my belief that I know how things should be and what needs to happen in our marriage. That’s where I go wrong. 
Thomas: I feel the same, Lisa. But I often feel so sure that my perspective is the right one… I’m not sure how to let go of that. 
Lisa: Thankfully, I’ve learned that I need to be willing to take a leap of faith for love—trusting you, but never letting go of your hand. 
Thomas: That’s beautiful, Lisa. By doing that, we allow Christ to reign in our marriage and give the Holy Spirit the freedom to build our love. 
Lisa: Let’s hold onto each other and trust God’s wisdom in every aspect of our lives—our plans, parenthood, work, relationships with others—everything! Let’s make a habit of placing it all in the Lord’s hands through daily prayer. What do you think? 
Thomas: That sounds perfect. I love you even when I don’t fully understand. 
Lisa: And I love you even when it feels like you’re wrong.

Mother,

Why do we rely so much on our own judgment when it has been proven faulty so many times? Christ is our King. We submit to Him and adore Him. May He be glorified forever.

GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Marital conversion

Zacchaeus serves as a powerful example of conversion. At first, the distractions of the world prevent me from truly seeing Jesus, clouding my heart. Yet, at some point, He crosses my path intentionally. When I show even the smallest desire to know Him, He invites Himself into my life, into my heart, to share His love with me.  
This leads me to realize just how lost I was without Him, sparking my first steps toward change. Conversion is fulfilled when I decide to surrender everything to Him and follow wherever He leads.  

Applied to married life

Henry: Gemma, I’ve noticed that my journey of faith mirrors the growth in our marriage.  
Gemma: Thank you for sharing that with me, Henry, How do you see the connection between the two?  
Henry:When I was consumed by my work, I couldn’t fully give my heart to you or to God. But as I grew closer to Him, I began to see His love reflected in our relationship. The more I let go of selfishness and dedicate myself to you, the more I feel I am giving myself to the Lord. That’s why I see such a strong connection between my faith journey and the transformation in our marriage.  
Gemma: I thank God for speaking to me through you because it’s true that I tend to feel very comfortable with God while being critical of you. But I’ve also noticed that the more connected I am with you, the closer I feel to the Lord.  

Mother,

We are still on this path of transformation. Guide us as we continue this journey. Praise to the Lord.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.They told him,“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”The people walking in front rebuked him,telling him to be silent,but he kept calling out all the more,“Son of David, have pity on me!”Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;and when he came near, Jesus asked him,“What do you want me to do for you?”He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”He immediately received his sightand followed him, giving glory to God.When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

The Gospel of the Lord

Shared Passdion

Calling on the Lord for compassion means inviting Him to share in my suffering, so that He can understand and bring healing. Out of His boundless compassion, Christ became one of us, experiencing humanity and, through His suffering alongside us, offering us healing. 
From His example, I learn the path to my husband’s healing: to first share in his pain, experiencing it alongside him, so that from this deep connection, I can give myself for his salvation. 

Applied to married life

Martha: Ryan,  I’ve come to realize that I haven’t supported you well in your struggles. I’ve approached you with advice from a place of superiority instead of compassion. 
Ryan: I’m not sure I understand, Martha. Why is compassion so important when trying to help? 
Martha: Because that’s how Christ helps us. He first comes to live with us, to understand what it means to have a human heart. He experiences our temptations, fears, and suffering. Then, He offers Himself, saying to the Father, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” In the same way, I need to share in your struggles, feel your pain, and from that place of understanding, work toward your salvation. 
Ryan:  That’s amazing, Martha. So profound. This revelation from the Lord is truly powerful, and it’s the right approach. Thank you. I needed to hear this too. 

Mother,

Help me dwell within Your Immaculate Heart so that I may feel what You feel when You look upon my husband/wife. Thank You, Blessed Mother.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Mark. Mk 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Bad Will Pass.

The devil continues to sow tares, and he will eventually destroy this world. Little by little, he’s succeeding, but he and the death he brought us are coming to an end. However, the Word of God will not pass away. Do we know the power of Christ’s merits? Through His merits, we remain saved in Him, and nothing will separate us from His Love.
Let us not be troubled in bad times, nor be afraid.

Applied to Married Life:

Chris: “Tim, when we have problems between us, it feels like the world is falling apart. Everything darkens for me, and I feel like there’s no solution anymore.”
Tim: “But, Chris, that’s because we lack faith. What helps me in those moments is remembering that all of that will pass. The Lord will come to us with His grace, and if we receive it, He will bring us back to the light. We confess, we ask for forgiveness, and He makes everything new.”
Chris: “I know He forgives us, but our marriage still feels wounded. It’s like there are traces of hopelessness left behind. It feels like we’ll never fully get out of these situations.”
Tim: “You said it: ‘It feels like it,’ but those are deceptive feelings. Heaven and Earth will pass away, but the promise the Lord made to us the day He committed to us in our Sacrament of marriage—that promise will not pass away. He is more powerful than our evil, I assure you. Let’s strive and trust in His power, okay? Also, lately we’ve seen beautiful green shoots between us, haven’t we?”
Chris: “Thank you, Tim. You’ve helped me so much. There are times when I’m a bit impatient, and I drown in my own anxiety. Thank you for helping me regain the hope that the Lord gives us.”
Tim: “Cheer up, Chris, because you are the most precious gift God has given me.”
Chris: “I love you, Tim.”

Mother,

The Lord will come with all His power and glory. And nothing and no one will be able to stop the sanctification of the world. Blessed be He with His power and glory.