Gospel
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.’
That phrase, “Love one another as I have loved you”, reminds me that I must live my life in You—not build my relationships outside of You, but within You. I need to place myself in situations as You would, experiencing what I am living as You did, interpreting it as You would, and acting with Your motivations. How? By loving as You love.
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.