GOSPEL

GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

The Word of the Lord

Trust in yourself.

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the moment, it is surprising that this solemnity focuses on Joseph as a spouse. Today we especially consider the faith of this wonderful example of a husband and father, whose merits are very simple yet difficult. Simple because through faith he received the grace that allowed him to act holy in very tough situations. How important faith is to receive grace and be a good spouse.

Applied to married life:

Marcos: Prayer is so important to me. When I pray, I rest in God, in His providence. But it’s not enough to just be with Him in isolation. I only perceive that rest when I do it daily and almost constantly keep my gaze on God’s will. My day becomes ordered, my priorities, my decisions… everything falls into place. God already has it all arranged.

María: Yes, you’re right. It’s like we disarrange the pieces that God gives us to build His kingdom, and in prayer and before Him, they are reordered. It also helps me a lot that you are a man of prayer because it gives me confidence in you and your judgments.

Marcos: Thank you for your trust. Honestly, I wouldn’t trust myself if it weren’t for being close to the Lord at all times.

Mother,

May we learn to be spouses like Saint Joseph. God has mapped out the greatest path for each of us; it’s just a matter of listening to Him and following Him. Praise be to God, who loves us so much.

GOSPEL

Let the one among you who is faultless be the first to cast a stone.
Reading from the Gospel according to John 8:1-11

During that time, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. In the early morning, he returned to the temple, and a crowd gathered around him. He sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, stood her before the crowd, and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, seeking grounds to accuse him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. As they continued to question him, he stood up and said, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. Upon hearing this, they left one by one, starting with the elders, until only Jesus and the woman remained. Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin again.”

The Word of the Lord

Endless Excuses.

According to Saint John Paul II, our hearts can react to sin in two ways: accusation or calling. Accusation, fueled by darkness, despair, contempt, and condemnation, is characteristic of the devil. However, the Lord comes not to condemn but to forgive, heal, restore dignity, and entrust us with His grace once more. Today, we must choose between adopting the devil’s accusatory stance or embracing God’s forgiving approach to sin.

Applied to Marriage:

Mary: (Inwardly prays: “Lord, my husband has treated me harshly, but I won’t hold it against him. I won’t condemn him but instead offer myself in sacrifice for his redemption.”) Darling, you seem tense now, but this will pass, and you’ll find your way back to the Lord’s heart. Your love for the Lord is evident; you don’t wish to cause Him pain. You seek union with Him and with me. I believe you’ll continue striving, and the Lord will sanctify you. I trust you, Carlos. You’re an amazing husband.
Charles: Thank you, Merche. Your encouragement helps me regain my dignity as a child of God and restores my hope. Thank you for your boundless love. May God bless you abundantly.

Mother,

We are blessed to have such a merciful Father. We aspire to act as His beloved children. Forever praised be His name.

GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew;
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Word of the Lord:

Husband’s priestly role.

Letting go of self-centered love. That’s the only path to genuine love. Sacrificing oneself for love is the key to communion, embracing humiliations, shame, and contempt out of love for one’s spouse and their salvation. Jesus shows us how to be spouses who embody priesthood by sacrificing ourselves for the salvation of our spouse, our family, and other couples.

Applied to Marriage:

Alex : I’m discovering how to live out my marriage as a baptized priest.
Rachel: A priest? I’m confused.
Alex: Yes, just as Christ marries the Church as a high priest, clothed in an unsewn robe, He wants me to love you. That’s my mission as a priest.
Rachel: Okay, but how does that play out in our everyday married life?
Alex: It means I used to blame you for your sins, but now I understand that’s not the way. As a Christian husband, it means sacrificing myself, alongside Christ in our Sacrament, for the cleansing of your sins.
Rachel: So, being a priest in our marriage means seeing your sins as an opportunity to love you through my sacrifices for your sake and your salvation. It’s a remarkable shift in how we view marriage. I love the idea of being both husband and priest, following Christ’s example of self-sacrifice.

Mother,

Continue guiding us to be spouses like Christ the Bridegroom. Forever praised.

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