Gospel of the Day
Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
Shoots from a Hard Heart.
Beyond the apocalyptic message, in this Gospel we extract a promise, a commitment from God that we can begin to live here the kingdom of God when our marriage starts to sprout. The beautiful thing is that the Lord can bring forth shoots from the oldest and driest trunk, and the way to do this is through pain. We could compare a dry trunk to a hard heart, which in order for the shoot of the sap of the Holy Spirit flowing within to emerge, must have its shell broken. What sprouts are we talking about and how can we detect them? We would say that there are two types of sprouts: one from sustained longings and another from perseverance.
Grounded in Married Life:
Andrés: After this time, when would you say there are sprouts in a marriage, Agus?
Agustina: I would say when a yearning for God and His plan for marriage arises and remains alive. And secondly, when there is perseverance. When marriages seek, get involved, do not give up, and immerse themselves in groups of couples who share those same interests.
Andrés: But that requires sacrifice, doesn’t it?
Agustina: Of course, Andrés. There is only one way to grow in love, and that is through the path of pain, through the way of the cross. Only one who falls to the ground and dies can bear fruit.
Andrés: I understand…
Mother,
“Love until it hurts,” said Saint Teresa of Calcutta. May we not give up and continue persevering in love so that the Lord may do His work in our marriage. Praised be He forever.