From the Gospel according to Matthew
MT 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.“Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,
and those who enter through it are many.
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.

Word of the Lord.

For the freedom of the gift.

The gates of heaven have been opened by the Lord, for He is the gate. And He has already shown us the way, for He is the way. The way is a surrender like His to reach His glory, and that surrender happens on the Cross. In our case, that cross is the daily cross, and surrendering to yesterday’s cross does not exempt me from surrendering to today’s.

Each of us knows the kinds of crosses we bear, but let us illustrate with some examples.

Word of the Lord.

The gates of heaven have been opened by the Lord, for He is the gate. And He has already shown us the way, for He is the way. The way is a surrender like His to reach His glory, and that surrender happens on the Cross. In our case, that cross is the daily cross, and surrendering to yesterday’s cross does not exempt me from surrendering to today’s.

Each of us knows the kinds of crosses we bear, but let us illustrate with some examples.

Applied to Married Life:

Him: When my wife tells me that I have not considered her, and I ask for forgiveness without making excuses.
Her: When my husband makes a decision without consulting me, and I embrace it as my own.
Him: When I hear her complaints repeatedly, the same as always, and I listen with understanding, whether she is right or not, which is irrelevant.
Her: When I am feeling down, and he ignores me, seeming not to care.
Him: When she suggests something that seems absurd to me, and I join her with joy.
Her: When he says it’s time to go, and I get up and go without needing to be asked twice.

And a long list of similar acts until we are freed from our attachments, from our pride, and become free for the freedom of the gift.

Mother,

Help us prepare to enter through the narrow gate by the way of Christ’s Love. Through Him, we ask this for His greater glory.