GOSPEL

I have not come to bring peace, but division.  
Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Word of the Lord.

“Burning” Spouses

Encountering Christ has profound effects on me. He sets my life on fire, burning away all that is old to sow something completely new. It is an inner revolution, in which everything that once interested me ceases to interest me because I have discovered something, or rather, Someone, who infinitely surpasses it: Christ.  
He and His plan for me fill me with joy and hope. Yes, my life makes sense, my suffering too, my relationship with my husband becomes something sacred, everything around me is a gift, and difficulties turn into opportunities to reach Him.  
How poorly we do it when we evangelize with a sour face or when we live marriage as a burden, for we do not convey the truth. The Gospel is not repression; it is liberation. And everything else, I consider garbage.

Grounded in Married Life:

Cristina: You talk about the necessity of encountering Christ to heal and build our marriage, but I don’t understand why.  
Marriage Tutor: To love, I must fill my heart with love. God is love, and He is the only one who can give it to me. My heart is filled with good thoughts and good wishes towards my husband. It is important to maintain a heartfelt relationship with Him because from the heart flows life or death. The heart is capable of eternal growth in hate or in love. Do you have experience of your heart growing in hate or in love?  
Cristina: Yes, that is true.  
Marriage Tutor: And what are your thoughts and desires towards your husband?  
Cristina: I don’t wish him any harm, but my thoughts towards him are not good, to be honest.  
Marriage Tutor: Well, every temptation you experience is a question for your soul: Who are you? A child of God or an earthly being? Do you follow your passions or love God? God allows temptation as a means by which we manifest ourselves against or in favor of Him. Every temptation is an opportunity for the heart to grow in love and union with Him, and therefore, to grow in love for your husband and your family. These are the true “burning” spouses, those whose hearts burn with pure love.

Mother,

The Lord has captivated my heart, and that causes me to stop sinning in thought, for my thoughts are on Him and His work. If I only think of Him and the mission He has entrusted to me, then I will give glory to God with my life. Blessed and praised be the name of the Lord.