GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God
There, on high.
With the eyes of faith, we can contemplate the one who was pierced, lifted up in custody. And as we contemplate him, we are healed, filled with Life, with a capital L. We see plainly the evidence that the Father cannot give us more Love because He has given us His Son, whom He loves the most. We see Christ lifted up for our salvation. From Him comes the baptism that makes us children in Him. From Him comes the Sacrament of Marriage that makes us one in Him. Our hope arises only from Him. And I contemplate him. And we contemplate him together. And we never tire of contemplating him there, on high…
Commentary for Married Couples:
Luis: In order to see the truth, it is necessary to purify our gaze. Only by looking at Christ can He heal us from the bites of the serpents. Maria: I have the experience of having seen your virtue of magnanimity as a problem. You always aim for such great goals that seem unattainable to me, and it seemed a bit reckless on your part. But looking at the Lord there, nailed to the Cross, the institution of the Church for all eternity would have seemed unattainable to me. He has healed me, and I have been able to see in you that precious virtue that used to provoke rejection in me. Luis: I also needed to discover your virtue of prudence, which seemed to bother me because it slowed down my plans. It’s true that before, I needed to discern if they were God’s plans. Maria: How great is the Lord, who purifies us, heals us, and saves us.
Mother,
Allow us to continue giving until the last breath of our lives to so many who need to know this gift of God through His Son: The precious Sacrament of Marriage, where He gives us His Nuptial Love. What a treasure! Praise be to Him forever.