Daily Archives: 12 July, 2024

Do not get tired. Reflection for marriages Matthew 10:16-23

GOSPEL


“For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

From the Gospel according to Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

Don’t get tired.

No one can take away the glory of God from us. Have I tried to humiliate my spouse or has my spouse try to humiliate me? Don’t get tired and don’t let him/ her get tired, because neither of you has the power to take away even a bit of His glory. On the contrary, depending on the attitude of the persecuted, God might glorify them, as He does with the Holy martyrs.
So, do  not feel defeated. These situations can bring much glory to God.

Applied to married life:

Tony: Our daughters are lost because of you; you raised them this way.
(Three days later)
Tony: Why are you trying to impose your views on me? I know more about this subject because I’ve studied it.
Margaret: You are the one who raises our daughters poorly because you’ve always been too hard on them. Things don’t go your way because you’re always wrong, while I’m always right. That’s the reality.
(And so, day after day)
Margaret: (In prayer) Forgive my pride. To purify my soul, Lord, you ask me for meekness and humility. You are with me, steering my life, what can I fear? I truly deserve all contempt, and You deserve much more for Your greater glory. My greatest desire, Lord, is to resemble You and not hold any ill will against my husband. So, Lord, I promise not to reproach him anymore and offer myself for his sanctification.
Tony: (In prayer) Lord, forgive my immense pride. As reparation, I have the opportunity to offer myself in all the reproaches my wife makes towards me. Don’t hold it against her and accept my sacrifice for her salvation and for Your greater glory.
(And both accepted the cross and sanctified each other).

Mother,
Let us live persecutions in your Heart. Praise be to the Lord who wants to strengthen and purify our love.