GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.

The word of the Lord.

Fragile love.

Today we spouses also ask John: What should we do?

And he tells us: Just as I baptised with water, you love each other with a fragile love that does not quench thirst. Your love is like the water of the Samaritan woman, but Christ, through your Sacrament, has brought you water that can make you never thirsty and make your love spring up to eternal life.

Grounded in Married Life:

Salva: Lord, I recognise that I cannot fill Herminia’s heart with my love.

Herminia: Lord, I need to satisfy myself with Your love. Salva wants to, and I see how the poor man tries, but he cannot fill it.

Salva: But Lord, give me that living water that you sowed in our marriage from the day of our wedding, so that Your love may be present between us and my wife’s heart may be satisfied. Your love is overflowing. Give me that love, Lord.

(And the peace of the Lord came upon them and His joy was with them)

Mother,

Full of grace, lead us to the Heart of Christ. Praise be to Him.