Monthly Archives: April 2025

What I Had Missed. Reflection for marriages. Saint John 3:16–21

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John 3:16–21
“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God.
And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come into the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen that his deeds are done through God.”
What I Had Missed
When the things of God provoke rejection, it’s often because our lives are not in line with the Gospel.
As the saying goes: “Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
The real question is: If I’m not walking with God, with whom am I walking? And then, who am I really?
We heard about a married couple: the husband was living in adultery. When they attended a retreat, he rejected it completely. For a moment, it seemed like he might be touched by God’s call, but ultimately, he hardened his heart.
In contrast, the one who lives in the truth naturally draws near to the light, so that it may be seen that his works are done according to God.
Applying It to Married Life
Juan: I remember that when I drifted away from God, I felt a real rejection toward people in the Church. I saw them as naive, or I prejudged them as thinking they were better than me.
Later, when I had my conversion, my view changed completely.
Then they taught me about living sexuality chastely with you. Again, I rejected it strongly at first—I was used to living it my own way and thought the Church’s teachings would steal our joy.
But once I listened and tried it, our relationship took a huge qualitative leap.
Only then did I realise how much I had been missing by not living it God’s way.
Luisa: So basically, as you’ve been converting, your whole perspective on life has changed.
Juan: Totally. Now, everything the world offers seems like rubbish to me, and everything from God fills me with wonder.
Mother,
Thank You, Lord, for Your immense Love and for showing us the beauty of truth.
Praised be the Lord forever!

M&H. Reflection for marriages. Saint Matthew 11:25–30

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 11:25–30
At that time, Jesus said:
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
M&H
It is the Father Himself who hides His wisdom from the proud heart and reveals it to the humble.
It is only the gentle and humble of heart who can find rest in the Heart of Christ.
Before the world, such a one may seem like a poor fool, but in truth, he is rich and full of wisdom—a wisdom unknown to the worldly man.
I must practise these two virtues if I want to have a heart ready to enter into the Heart of Jesus:
M&H — Meek and Humble, Meek and Humble, Meek and Humble…
May I never forget: this is the mark of true wisdom.
Applying It to Married Life
Catalina often found herself complaining because she always had to push everything forward at home—chores, the children, even their life of faith.
But one day, in prayer, the Lord showed her His gentle and humble Heart—how He adapted Himself to the slowness and awkwardness of His disciples. Some were mere fishermen, yet He approached them with love and patience. He, being God, lived a simple life and offered it for our salvation.
From that moment, Catalina’s attitude changed. She realised she needed to follow her Master’s example and adapt herself to her husband’s pace, performing her tasks simply and humbly.
Whenever she was tempted to self-pity, she asked forgiveness from the Lord—because Jesus never looked at Himself, but always loved.
Little by little, she discovered the true value of meekness, which raised her higher than all the books about holiness she had devoured before.
Thus, Catalina grew in wisdom, because God Himself shared it with her.
Mother,
Bless the Lord, O my soul; let all that is within me bless His holy name!
I give thanks to You, my God, for all Your blessings, because You are compassionate and merciful.
You never accuse, You do not hold grudges.
Thank You, Lord, for Your tenderness, for loving my poor clay. Thank You for Your covenant with my husband and me. Amen.

The “Master Pass”. Reflection for marriages. Saint John 3:1–8

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John 3:1–8
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can perform the signs you do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered him:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus asked Him:
“How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
Jesus answered:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The “Master Pass”
Jesus teaches us that two things are necessary: to be born of water and of the Spirit.
It is not enough to have received the sacrament of Baptism if afterwards I do not allow myself to be born of the Holy Spirit. If I continue to live according to the flesh—my passions, disordered desires, preferences—then I am not truly living in the Spirit.
It is not enough to pray and attend the Eucharist.
How do we truly be born of the Spirit?
By allowing the Spirit to transform us through the events of everyday life, both the small and the great.
The Spirit must govern my life, my marriage, my fatherhood or motherhood, my work, my relationships, my leisure. Christ is present through the Holy Spirit and acts in my life and the lives of those around me—but only if I allow Him to act, without blocking Him with my own plans, decisions, or whims.
This demands total surrender—everything, forever.
Always ready to change, to convert anew, with no place to lay my head, open to the unpredictable movement of the Spirit.
It may seem drastic, but God is great and generous. In His hands, we have nothing to fear.

Applying It to Married Life
Carlos: Love, there are situations that make me really anxious, and I tend to get angry—like when I have a plan and it falls apart. I really struggle with the unexpected. Could you help me work on this?
Lourdes: Let me shed a little light. Imagine that you are the Holy Spirit, and you want to redirect someone onto a better path than the one they’re on. Wouldn’t you introduce a change of plans into their life to steer them in the right direction? Or, imagine you know they are about to face something very hard, and you love them infinitely. Wouldn’t you open new roads for them from that painful situation—better roads than before?
Carlos: I suppose I would, yes.
Lourdes: Then from now on, every time you face an unexpected change, think of it as a “master pass” from the Holy Spirit—He’s passing you the ball to follow His play. He’s on your team, playing for your good, for the good of our marriage and our family. Read the play, and use the opportunity for good. Remember: the unexpected is a master pass from God!
Carlos: That’s brilliant! Now I understand. A “master pass” from God. Thank you! I’ll try to remember that next time.

Mother,
Help me to renounce my own self, to be born anew from the will of my spouse, so that the Holy Spirit may remove from me anything that separates me from love—love for God and love for him.
Thank you, because through my spouse, I can be born of the Spirit, for the Spirit dwells in our conjugal unity.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Christ is risen in our marriage! Alleluia!

You Are Blessed. Reflection for marriages. John 20:19-31

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From the Gospel according to John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,for fear of the Jews,Jesus came and stood in their midstand said to them, “Peace be with you.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,was not with them when Jesus came.So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”But he said to them,“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his handsand put my finger into the nailmarksand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again insideand Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciplesthat are not written in this book.But these are written that you may come to believethat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord

You Are Blessed

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast introduced by Saint John Paul II at the start of this third millennium. It’s God’s incredible response to humanity’s sin—an overwhelming gift that reaches everyone, whether they believe or not. It’s a powerful embrace of love, big enough to absorb all the brokenness and lack of love throughout all generations of humanity.
Isn’t that something truly worth celebrating?

Applied to married Life:

Peter: Of everything God teaches me, today He reminds me of what I admire most—His Divine Mercy.
Ana: It really is something extraordinary. What touches you the most about it?
Peter: Probably how hard it is for me to live it out. How can someone love so deeply? A love that forgives betrayal, heals wounds, and overcomes slander… Only God has that kind of strength.
Ana: And we can too, if we let Him live in us. I want to love you like that.
Peter: And I want to love you that way too. Shall we pray for it together? He’s here with us even if we can’t see Him. Do you believe that?
Ana: I do.
Peter: Then you are blessed.
Ana: And so are you.

Mother,

Praise be to the Lord for His Divine Mercy. Praise Him forever.

Should We Believe Just Anyone? Reflection for marriages Mark 16:9-15

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From the Gospel according to Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,out of whom he had driven seven demons.She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.When they heard that he was aliveand had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another formto two of them walking along on their way to the country.They returned and told the others;but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to themand rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heartbecause they had not believed thosewho saw him after he had been raised.He said to them, “Go into the whole worldand proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Should We Believe Just Anyone?

Jesus challenges the Apostles for doubting the women’s message. But how important is a testimony? Should we trust every account we hear? Not necessarily. True testimony is inspired by God and meant not only for the person receiving it, but to be shared with others. The women were sent to tell the Apostles that Christ had risen—something Jesus had already foretold, as the Scriptures say.

So, a genuine testimony must be in harmony with the Gospel truth. If it’s not, then it’s not a true witness. And such experiences should be validated by the Church, through the Bishop, who helps determine whether they come from the Holy Spirit.

Applied to Married Life:

Lourdes: I read in some private revelations that the end of times will come in 2030.Juanjo: And do you believe it?Lourdes: I tend to believe everything, but I think that until the Church speaks on the matter, I should be cautious.
Jhon: Wise decision.
Lourdes: Meanwhile, I’ll keep preparing my heart to love you better and not get distracted by other stories.
Jhon: You truly are a testimony to me.


Mother,

Today we reaffirm our creed. Praised be God, one and Triune.