GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,

“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

The word of the Lord.

 

Thank you!

How important it is not to be a scandal for the little ones. The issue spouses have is that we represent the image of God for our children. And because we are Christians, we are also surrounded by many who want to see us fall in order to air the scandal of Catholics and discredit the family of God. We are in the spotlight, and it is very important to act in the name of Christ, therefore we will only succeed if we belong to Christ. He has won us with His Blood.

Allow us today to give thanks, especially to all those who have given us a glass of water, have supported us with their presence or with their work, have invited us, or/and have welcomed us into their home, on those trips in which we have gone to announce the Gospel of Truth and the beauty of marriage, any of the couples sent on the mission of “Marital Love Project”.

Congratulations! To those who have taken care of us, because you will not go unrewarded. In the name of the Lord, thank you!

 

Applied to married life:

Juanjo: Children. Shut up once and for all! I’m fed up with you.

Marisa: (She comes closer and whispers in his ear) Juanjo, please don’t talk to the children like that. This isn’t good for them. They’re not doing anything wrong, they’re playing…

Juanjo: (Again in a loud voice while the children listen to him) You? Are you going to give me lessons on how to educate my children? You’re the one who educates them badly, you’re buying them unnecessary treats. You’re turning them into spoiled people.

Marisa: (She notices how a huge fire heats up inside her, and it seems like she is going to explode against her husband. But then she remembers that Christ is between the two of them, and whatever she says to him necessarily pierces the Heart of Christ. Thanks to being of Christ, she begins to look at her husband with mercy, and she manages to see that he is nervous. Something is wrong with him, he is blinded. He does not know what he is doing. So first she is silent and then… she loves him) Honey, come on, you are a great father, and a wonderful husband. I know that something has happened that has made you a little nervous today. Don’t worry. We’ll talk about it later. Kids! Please, Dad has a lot of responsibilities and needs a little silence, okay? Who loves Dad?

Kids: Me, me, and me… they all answer raising their little hands.

Marisa: Very well, so today, since we love him, as a gift to him, we are going to give him some space and be quiet, okay?

(Putting the children to bed)

Juanjo: Guys, I’m sorry I yelled at you like that. I was worried about something that happened to me, but you’re much more important, and I love you so much. Will you forgive Dad?

Children: Yessss. Good night, Daddy. I love you…

(At the end of the day, during the marital prayer)

Juanjo: Marisa, I would like to ask for your forgiveness, my behaviour has not been the best. Thank you very much for your help and support. You have taken me out from the darkness I was in. Lord, I thank you very much for my wife. She helps me a lot to get closer to you.

 

Mother,

Mother of Spouses, pray for us. Queen of the “Marital Love Project”, pray for us. Amen.