GOSPEL

“Repent, and believe in the gospel”

From the Gospel according to Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

The Gospel of the Lord

Crown on the Rise.

Jesus announced that the Kingdom of God at hand, and the Kingdom of God has already arrived. How does this sound? It is Incredible, isn´t it? Well, allow God to reign in your soul and in your marriage, and you will witness that it’s no joke.

Applied to married life:

Sophie: Are you coming with me, my king?

Andrew: And what’s with “my king”? Have you promoted me that much?

Sophie: Well, if you reign in my life, it means God reigns in my life.

Andrew: Ah, that’s great. The miracles of God. You have gone from being fed up with me to wanting to crown me. Glory to God.

Sophie: Glory to God. By the way, there’s a toy crown there, from the children´s costumes. Can I take a selfie with you to celebrate?

Andrew: Come here, my queen.

Mother,

Queen of the Universe, pray for us.

GOSPEL

His relatives said, “He is out of his mind.”

From the Gospel according to Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Out of my mind.

An animal is confined within what it already is, but humans are not fixed entities; rather, they continuously and limitlessly transcend. The human is called to “become” by constantly “going beyond its mind” , ( and beyond itself) by surpassing what one currently is, and its limitations. By stepping outside of myself, I create a space within me to be penetrated by the supernatural, urging me to become more than my current self. I hope all this makes sense.

Therefore, being “out of my mind” helps me become perfectly me, until I reach the perfect state in heaven (if God wills it). This is when I become fully divinized, completely imbued with the Divine essence. Well, today we’ve become somewhat philosophical, concluding that it’s normal for Jesus, the perfect man, to be considered as if He were “out of his mind.” That’s where He needed to be to show us the way.

Applied to married life:

Paul: Lauren, Have you heard the song “Fuera de mí” (Outside of Myself)?

Lauren: Ah! Yes. Great flamenco vibe, right?

Paul: Yes, that’s the one. It’s a song where someone “throws out” their former lover from their heart and says, “I no longer want your love.” Don´t worry, I have no intention whatsoever of casting you out of my heart. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Today, I plan to cast myself out of my own heart, so that God and you may enter. What do you think?

Lauren: I think that by doing so, you’ll experience love in a profound level. When you give God the throne of your heart, He increases your capacity for love. The Virgin Mary said in the Magnificat: ” He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the humble.” So, it seems like a wonderful idea for you to step aside and let Him reign and rule.

Paul: Exactly. This way, I will live my life in the kingdom of God. ( singing) “ outside me, I no longer want my looove, from my mind I erase myself I leave the throne to God, my beloved”

Mother,

May I always live out of my mind, and may I let Him reign. Praise be to God, the King of my heart and my life.

GOSPEL

He appointed Twelve, that they might be with him.

From the Gospel according to Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

The Gospel of the Lord

What are your thoughts?

The Lord chooses those He wants for what He wants. Injustice has no place here because He is God, and God decides the plan for His creatures for which He has created them, and it is simply perfect. He gives us everything we have, which is already much more than we deserve. Therefore, there is no room for discontent, only for gratitude and praise.

He chose me to be the life partner of my spouse, and my spouse to be my life partner, and that is the vocation He has chosen for us. So, all that remains is to say: Thank you, Lord, for my spouse, and praised be You forever for this wonderful mission that You entrust to me. And you, spouse? What are your thoughts?

Applied to married life:

Alison: What are you staring at so intently?

Simon: The will of God for me: You.

Alison: And what do you think?

Simon: That indeed, God knows how to choose.

Alison: Thank you… I’m going to blush.

Simon: No, I mean the husband He has given you.

Alison: What do you mean?

Simon: Haha, just kidding, dear. I give many thanks to God for you. After all these years together, I realize more and more each day what a precious gift I’ve received from Him.

Alison: Ah! Okay, because you almost miss a kiss, a hug, and a romantic dinner.

Simon: Oh! Thank goodness I corrected myself in time!

Alison: Haha.

Mother,

Thank you for choosing us. Blessed be you forever

GOSPEL

Whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.

From the Gospel according to Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.

The Gospel of the Lord

They comfort me.

It’s true that we have a certain respect for the power of concupiscence over us. It may seem like we are dominated by our disorders, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. Hooweve, in today´s Gospel, we witness the profound fear that evil spirits have of the Lord—they bow before Him, screaming terrified that He might issue an order they’d have to unquestionably obey. So why worry so much? I should pray as David did in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Applied to married life:

Marcus: Helen, I am very concerned about my pride. I realize the harm I’m causing you. I genuinely don’t want it. t, Yet, I find myself reacting in ways that dominate me, and I’m not in control of my thoughts or my aggressive way of speaking to you.

Helen: I understand, Marcus. I experience the same with resentment towards you. Unconsciously, dark thoughts come to me about things you did in the past that hurt me.

Marcus: What do you think if we pray for each other before the Lord regularly? Our sacrament has great power. I’m sure the Lord will act in us as ministers of grace for each other.

Helen: That sounds wonderful, especially considering that God’s grace has much more power than all the advice we give each other. I feel very reassured that we are placing ourselves in His hands.

Mother,

We trust in the Lord. We want to be united to Him like branches to the Vine. His rod and His staff comfort us. Praise Him forever

GOSPEL

“Is it lawful to save life rather than to destroy it?”

From the Gospel according to Mark 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.There was a man there who had a  withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.”
Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel
with the Herodians against him to put him to death. 

The Gospel of the Lord

Against the ground.

Then there is pride, which leads a person to want to retaliate against another simply because they don’t do things the way the person believes they should be done according to their personal criteria. There’s the individual who commits a traffic violation and honks at you, there are Christian communities where members get upset because things are not organized as well as they should be, and there are also spouses who constantly correct their partners because they think they’re smarter. Imagine being stuck in traffic; choosing one lane will prompt them to claim the other lane is always faster… Regardless of the trivial example, where does love fit into these scenarios? Perhaps something could be improved, but to reach a state of lack of love for that reason, and even revenge or hatred? Well, this is one face of pride, and anyone without it in some form should cast the first stone.

Applied to married life:

Sue: What are you doing lying there?

Anthony : I’m trying to crush myself against the ground because I have temptations to be more valued by you, and since I know I don’t deserve it, I’m trying to put myself in my place. But no matter how much I squash myself against the ground, I can’t do it.

Sue: Hahaha, you’re so funny. But you’re so right. Can I squash myself next to you against the ground?

Anthony: Of course, there’s room for you here. I think my nose is starting to poke through the ceiling below. If you help me, maybe we’ll make a hole and see the neighbors.

Sue: I love your sense of humor, especially when you laugh at yourself. I have a lot to learn from you in that respect.

Anthony: Shhh, because then I have to come down my pride, and I’m going to end up in the sewers…

Mother,

How insignificant I am before God, I am small, very very tiny.  Praise be to the only Holy One.