Monthly Archives: July 2024

Disrupted plans. Reflection for marriages Mark 6, 30-34

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Gospel

They were like sheep without a shepherd.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6, 30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
The word of the Lord.
Disrupted plans.
It turns out that the Lord was making plans, and the Spirit was also disrupting them, just as it happens to me, but He, despite His tiredness and moved by love, surrendered to divine providence with all His Heart. For me, on the other hand, it is more difficult, but I recognize that the Spirit sneaks into my life precisely in the unexpected moments. How good it is to be open to the action of the Spirit.
Grounded in married life:
Alejandro: Yesterday I spent the whole afternoon wishing to get home and sit down to rest during dinner while watching a good movie. On the way back, I saw you needed to talk to me, and…
Carmen: Ah! Yes, yesterday! I had a bad day and needed to share it with you and have you help me interpret everything that happened from God’s perspective.
Alejandro: Well, that’s it, Carmen, when I saw you needed that, the world came crashing down on me because I needed to rest. But I didn’t say anything because I understood your need, and I had to prioritize yours over mine. But it was hard for me, you know? I admire the Lord, how despite not having rested and having almost no time even to eat, He continues to have compassion for the needy and gives Himself abundantly.
Carmen: I’m sorry, Alejandro, if I had known, I wouldn’t have shown you my distress… But I am immensely grateful to you because you helped me so much to see things through God’s eyes.
Alejandro: Yes, because despite my lack of generosity, the Spirit took advantage of my small “yes” to give you what you needed. How great God is.
Carmen: I thank God for you.
Mother,
You were always open to the interventions of the Spirit, and many of them contradicted your plans. Teach us to welcome the interventions of the Spirit with the same generosity that You had. Blessed be God who intervenes in our lives.

Marital ointment. Reflection for marriages Saint Matthew 12, 14-21

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Gospel

He commanded them not to reveal him. Thus, what was said by the prophet was fulfilled.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 12, 14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
The word of the Lord.
Marital ointment.
Jesus, beloved Son of the Father, receives the Holy Spirit, which represents the union between God and humanity. The spouses, who participate in that nuptial love, are like that bruised reed that the Lord will not break until He establishes His justice in them. Let us not be the ones to break it. Let us be patient and understanding with one another as God is with us, because His Love is in our marriage, and it is capable of overcoming any obstacle and leading us to the victory of Conjugal Charity.
Grounded in married life:
Almudena: I have lost my peace again. I’m sorry.
Juanjo: Thank you for acknowledging it. You have a great heart, and the Lord loves you very much, so He will lead you to live in His Heart. Stay strong. It has also happened to me when you have lost your peace. I have also reacted poorly towards you. Please forgive me.
Almudena: I forgive you. But it’s true that we can transmit life or death to each other, and I haven’t transmitted life to you. I’m sorry.
Juanjo: I forgive you, dear. You are my life.
Mother,
May we be ointment for one another. Blessed be the Lord who will bring His justice to victory in us.

 

Climate of mercy. Reflection for marriages Saint Matthew 12, 1-8

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GOSPEL
The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 12, 1-8
Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.
His disciples were hungry
and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,
“See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”
He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry,
how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering,
which neither he nor his companions
but only the priests could lawfully eat?
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath
the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath
and are innocent?
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”
Word of the Lord.
Climate of mercy.
A faith that brings me closer to God (at least apparently) and not to my sinful husband cannot be real. God’s mercy is embodied in Christ who gives himself for us for our salvation. That is what God expects a good spouse to do for their partner and vice versa.
Applied to Married Life:
Lucia: I wanted to go to confession and to do an examination of conscience, I would like to know if you feel loved and cared for by me, if you feel that you are my priority along with the Lord.
Manolo: You have your moments, but lately it’s amazing how you are creating a beautiful atmosphere of love between us. I see and appreciate every smile, every look or gesture of affection, every attention, every caress. You have me on cloud nine.
Lucia: Thank you. You are so good to me and how beautiful your look towards me is. I adore you.
Manolo: You are the one who enchants me.
Mother,
May we, through mercy, create an atmosphere of love with our spouse and our family, full of joy and hope. Amen.

I never get tired of you. Reflection for marriages Saint Matthew 11, 28-30

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GOSPEL
I am gentle and humble of heart
Reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 11, 28-30
At that time, Jesus said:
Jesus said:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
I never get tired of you.
One of the characteristics of the action of grace is that, unlike when we act with our own strength, what we do moved by grace does not tire us, much less overwhelm us.
The good news is that the Nuptial Love of Christ is among us, and therefore we will never tire of loving each other.
Applied to married life:
Jaime: When we got married, I was afraid that with time and difficulties our love would suffer a wear and tear that would end in indifference or a certain apathy.
Carmen: And what conclusion are you drawing after more than thirty years of marriage?
Jaime: My conclusion is that I am more in love with you every day, and I clearly know that this love I am experiencing between us is supernatural.
Carmen: We have fought a lot and have faced serious difficulties, but staying close to the Lord and sharing a conjugal spirituality is making us one in the Lord.
Jaime: Well, and learning about marriage through the Catechesis of Saint John Paul has also been crucial in knowing how to take advantage of the grace of our Sacrament.
Carmen: Absolutely.
Jaime: Can you give me a huge hug that will burst?
Carmen: Hahaha
Mother,
We can never thank enough for the gift of marriage. A mystery that clearly surpasses us. Praise the Lord for this gift.

Needy above all. Reflection for marriages Saint Matthew 11, 25-27

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GOSPEL
You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to the little ones.
Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 11, 25-27
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
The Word of the Lord.
Needy above all.
Only by having a humble and simple heart can I receive and welcome God’s wisdom. There comes a time when knowledge can be harmful, as it can make us proud.
To live a marriage as God intended, the secret is to cultivate a receptive heart, open to God’s grace.
Applied to Married Life:
Ana: Lately we’ve been on a bad streak… Constantly correcting each other with an attitude as if we know it all… And that’s pushing us away from love.
Juan: You’re right. It’s easy to fall into arrogance and mutual contempt. What do you think if we go together to confess and spend a good while prostrated before the Lord?
Ana: I think it’s wonderful. Knowing we need God and each other. That’s the real path. I’m ashamed of my attitude. Will you forgive me?
Juan: Of course. Will you forgive me?
Ana: Yes, I forgive you. And I love you, and I need you so much.
Juan: I love you.
Mother,
Needy, very needy. That’s what we are above all. Praise be to God who shares His wisdom with the little ones.