From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself,
how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

 

For Nothing

We feel strong, confident in our own criteria. We build our own safety nets—financial security with some savings and a house, physical well-being with a bit of exercise, health by watching our diet, emotional stability by placing our hopes in weekend plans, vacations, and shopping, sentimental balance with an occasional retreat and some resolutions, and even spiritual security by easing our conscience with Sunday Mass.  

And when we’ve built our little castle, we realize that nothing really works. I don’t feel secure, venting through exercise isn’t enough, my resolutions are useless, and my hopes let me down again and again because vacations turn into one argument after another.  

Then comes the alternative: the transforming union with the Lord and embracing the greatness of my marital vocation. And suddenly, everything falls into place. Peace comes—the longed-for peace, the one the heart won’t rest until it finds. The Lord sweeps away all my self-made defenses, and I surrender to Him with joy, placing myself at His service—whatever He wants, wherever He wants, whenever He wants. And when I don’t… I crash. Then I ask for forgiveness and return to the right path.  

Applied to Married Life:  

Marta: What happened to all that anxiety, that constant distress, all those fears? Our life is exactly the same—we have the same problems as anyone else, the same differences, the same sins in our hearts to fight against… but the rough edges of our life have disappeared.  

Juan: We’ve learned to see life as a gift from God, to see each other as a gift from God, to rely on His mercy… We’ve placed everything in His hands. He is far stronger than all our difficulties and sins. He is King over everything and everyone. And He loves us infinitely. He has brought us complete joy, just as He promised.  

Marta: Blessed be the Lord.  

Juan: Blessed be forever.  

Mother,

Spouses who are not with Jesus Christ are against Him, and if they do not gather with Him the fruits of Love, they scatter their gifts and their entire lives. Let us allow the One who is stronger to enter our lives and take away all those false securities we relied on.  

Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.