Are you envious because I am generous?

From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you.  Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.

The Gospel of the Lord

Last Train

This Gospel, far from provoking envy in us, brings us wonderful hope whenever we think about those lost children, those family members and friends who don’t want anything to do with God, all those spouses who have left their partners and are now living with someone else, missing out on the greatness, beauty, and sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage.

We pray for all of them, so that, in that final moment of divine mercy, they may respond to the Lord’s call and receive the same reward as those who have been faithful their whole lives. God is good and free to do what He wills with His own. It’s true that we’ve chosen the narrow path, but it’s also true that we’ve tasted the Lord’s grace, and that is priceless.

Applied to married life

Helen: I’m worried about all those marriages that don’t embrace the grace of their sacrament and suffer pointlessly because of it… I wish their sufferings were fruitful suffering for the praise of the Lord, but suffering because they’re not accepting God’s love is just terrible.

Frank: Absolutely. I’m not just going to stay still, even if it means getting coffees and heading over to the house of strangers like we’ve done before.

Helen: I know, but still, so many say no and end up splitting up…

Frank: There was a time when Proyecto Amor Conyugal suggested offering online catechesis for spouses who have left or been left by their partners but want to dig deeper into the truth of Marriage. Maybe one of the couples in the Project will be inspired to get it going. After all, those couples still have a marital bond, and Virgin Mary doesn’t give up on anyone.

Helen: We’ll pray for that, so that a couple will be inspired to take those catechesis.

Frank: A rosary?

Helen: Let’s do it!

Mother,

You don’t want anyone to be lost, even if they catch the last coach of the last train of hope. Neither do we, and we place ourselves at Your service to do whatever needs to be done. God’s Glory is that everyone lives. Praise Him forever.

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God

From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,

“For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Demands into Gratitude

When I try to elevate myself above others, whether through wealth or abuse of power, I find that God brings down the mighty from their thrones and lifts up the humble, raising them to a throne of glory. For example, those power struggles in marriage, that pride in wanting to control more or be right, those demands that drive me to seek power on earth, only to end up last in heaven (if I even get there). So, what do I do? I have to replace those attitudes with valuing the other as a gift from God, something I don’t truly deserve. I need to replace demands with gratitude.

What does God expect from me? To recognize my inability and beg for His Grace, acknowledging His Fatherly Love in all He gives me, especially in my vocation.

Applied to married life:

Carl: Forgive me, Sofia. I have to admit that I haven’t appreciated you enough. You’re the only person in my life who has given up everything for me. You left behind your single life’s fun to dedicate yourself to me. You turned down any other man, even if he was richer, more handsome, or more charming. You made me a priority over your parents. You didn’t have time to browse magazines or shop because you were praying with me, talking with me, or caring for our children. You wanted to say “yes” to the Lord through your love for me. And you, dear Sofia, have given me the most valuable thing in your world: yourself. That’s why you are the most valuable thing in my world. Because of all this, I know how much you love me. Thank you, Sofia.

Sofia: I, too, Carl, have to ask for your forgiveness because I also haven’t valued the gift that God gave me through you. How many beers with friends you’ve skipped, how many games, how many hours of free time spent working, you’ve given up your hobbies, and many of your ideas you’ve changed out of love for me. You became my husband, and that is priceless. Thank you, Carl. Because of all this, I know how much you love me.

Children of Carl and Sofia: Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mom. What a beautiful example of married life you’ve given us. This day, as you celebrate your 40th anniversary, will be etched in our hearts forever… because you have shown us the way of love through your lives.

Mother,

Deep down, it’s as simple and yet as difficult as putting love for God above all else. In my vocation, that means loving my husband, and as the fruit of that love, our children. It’s impossible for me, but not for God, and He has my “yes.

If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
MT 19:16-22

“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He asked him, “Which ones?”
And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

The Gospel of the Lord

Perfect Marriage

Love God above all things. That’s the first commandment, and it’s not easy to follow if we consider the consequences it could have on my life. The greatest love is shown when I give up something valuable because of that love. The key is: everything is a gift from God. If God gives it to me, praise be to Him; God takes it away, praise be to Him.

Priests and those who are consecrated give up marriage and family for the Kingdom of Heaven. This high-value sacrifice, made out of love for the only true Spouse, shows the relevance of the gift of celibacy or virginity they’ve received. But what about me as a husband? Am I willing to give up the gift of my marriage out of love for the only Spouse? That’s how you live marriage as a Sacrament of the Spouse’s Love. In this way, a husband who has been abandoned by his spouse can still aspire to live a truly dignified, valuable, fulfilling, and holy marriage out of love for the Spouse, even in the absence of his partner. Let’s not take this privilege away from them. Yes, it’s not a tragedy—it’s a very special privilege that God grants to a few to restore the true value of the Sacrament of Marriage according to God’s love for us.

Applied to married life

Carmel: I’ve realized that I was becoming too attached to our marriage, which is why I was so demanding about your behavior towards me.

David: I have no idea what you’re trying to say.

Carmel: Well, marriage is a vocation that involves giving myself to you out of love for Christ. If I’m putting conditions on our relationship, it stops being about giving out of love for Christ and starts becoming an attachment out of self-love.

David: So that means I should be willing to give up living in true communion with you out of love for Christ.

Carmel: Wanting that communion isn’t bad, but ultimately, the love between us is a gift from God. If we want this love to be perfect, we have to be willing to give up physical love for a greater Love, which is spiritual in our giving ourselves to the true Spouse. Look at the love Christ received in His earthly life, to the point where He was crucified—and we’re talking about the Master of all husbands.

David: With that mindset, there’s no such thing as a bad marriage.

Carmel: Exactly. Spouses who are willing to give up everything are the ones who can live a perfect marriage.

Mother,

Pray for us in our marital love.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

From the Gospel according to John
Jn 6:51-58 Continue reading →

Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

The Gospel of the Lord

All or nothing.

Back in Jesus’ time, children had no value.

They weren’t even considered people, to the point where they were called “slaves” and “children” interchangeably. That’s why the disciples kept them away so they wouldn’t bother Jesus.

But Jesus surprised everyone by saying, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children.”

God has a special place in His heart for those considered “nothing.” As St. Paul says, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; what is weak to shame the strong; what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (1 Cor 1:27-28). Therefore, “to be everything, don’t try to be anything in anything” (St. John of the Cross).

Applied to married life

Clare: I’ve spent my whole life waiting to be valued by you, and now it turns out the way is to be nothing.

John: Well, to me, you’re everything, even if I don’t always prove it.

Clare: Don’t worry, honey, sometimes the Lord allows me to feel unappreciated, even though I am, so I can love through the trial.

John: So, let’s keep trying to be nothing so that the Lord can place us where He sees fit.

Clare: Amen.

Mother,

God saw Your humility; help us to become small too, so that God can do great works in us.