At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
  ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

Applied to Married Life:

Megan: I’m so excited about our baby’s arrival. Sometimes I just go into her little room and look at all the things we’ve set up, just waiting for her.
Nathan: If only she knew how much we’re looking forward to meeting her… Sometimes I think this must be similar to how the Lord feels. He’s also prepared a place for us, with every detail thought out. I’m sure He’s waiting for us with even more excitement than we feel. We’re His children, after all…
Megan: That’s true. I hadn’t thought of it like that. It makes me want to live this waiting period more like the Lord would. Thanks, Nathan—how sweet you are!

Dear Mother,

When Jesus has finished preparing our dwelling place, I’m sure You’ll come in to add those final motherly touches. We can’t wait to share our home with You.
Thank you, blessed Mother.

After Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples, he said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, “He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.’

Applied to Married Life:

Matthew: Darling, we need to live with a sense of “supernatural awareness”. If the Spirit is already part of us, we can’t live as if we are just body and soul. Our body needs to be governed by our soul (understanding and will), and our soul by the Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Piety, Fortitude, and Fear of the Lord. These are the powers that guide us.
Michelle: I get it, but that sounds quite abstract. How do we actually use the Spirit’s power in our daily lives?
Matthew: Well, we don’t need to worry about that. We just need to stay close to Him, acknowledge His presence, and make ourselves available to Him. Then, He will act, guiding us and giving us the gifts we need at each moment. We just need to be with Him and let ourselves be led. Alright?
Michelle: I don’t fully understand, but I trust what you’re saying.
Matthew: That’s the right attitude. Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, You have free rein. We are ready for You to lead us.

Mother,

We welcome the Lord with joy in every prayer, in every Eucharist, and we strive to make our lives a personal Eucharist by giving ourselves to others in His name—whenever, however, and wherever He wills.
Praise be to the Lord.

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
  ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.’

Applied to Married Life:

James: (Thinks: I can’t believe it. Just when we’re having our moment, the phone rings and my wife picks it up. Does everyone else always come first? Even now, in our time together, it seems like other things take priority over me.)
(Prays, asking for help)
Lord, I can’t take it. This thought torments me—I don’t understand. I’m getting anxious… How can I love in this situation? I can’t help feeling angry at her. On top of that, she’s being so cheerful on the phone… I’m sitting right here, waiting for her to finish, and she doesn’t seem to care. She’s in no rush at all. Lord, help me to love her in this situation.
The Lord: I understand. Because I, too, often wait for you while you’re caught up with other things. You’ve noticed that, haven’t you? Yet, I always bear your faults and impatience. So, put this situation in My hands. I will be the one to judge it fairly. Leave it to Me and find rest in Me. Right now, focus on loving her—that is your mission. Look at her with tenderness, despite her shortcomings. Be merciful as the Father is merciful. Pour all your efforts into that, and My joy will dwell in you.

Mother,

We constantly struggle between pride and love, between comfort and service. This battle is exhausting, Mother, and at times it overwhelms me. I stray from Your Heart and lose my joy. Help me in those moments, Mother. I need Your maternal embrace.
Lord, have mercy on me and on my family.
Amen.

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the Temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’

Applied to Married Life:

Richard: Sarah, there are so many temptations bombarding us every day. Sometimes I feel like this path to holiness is completely out of reach for me.
Sarah: And it is out of reach for you, Richard, but if you truly desire it, it becomes inevitable for God.
Richard: Really, who could possibly stand against the Love of God, who gave His Son for us? You’re right, Sarah. I don’t know how I let doubt creep in. No one will ever take me from Your divine arms.

Mother,

Happy feast day to You, which means so much to us. Praise be to God and our Blessed Mother.