GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.

I will no longer speak much with you,

for the ruler of the world is coming.

He has no power over me,

but the world must know that I love the Father

and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

The word of the Lord

 

Peace amid misery.

What a mysterious relationship that binds you, Lord. Full of humility (“The Father is greater than I”), with obedience (“As the Father has commanded me, so I act”), with love (“The world must understand that I love the Father”), and with peace (“My peace I give you”). What kind of love is this, Lord? The one you want to share with us, though we struggle to receive it. What do you see when you look at the Father? How much of Him is in your heart? Mysterious love—profound, full, overflowing…

Of course, I want to reach that love in our marriage. But am I willing to drink from the cup of humility? And from that of obedience? You, Lord, do not give peace as the world gives it—imposing it—but as you give it, like the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies, bearing fruit in peace. May my heart not be troubled, Lord, and may I dare to take the step of truly believing in your way.

 

Applied to married life:

Paco: It seems like we’re a bit stuck. We’ve had good moments, even great ones, but now, it feels like we’re not moving forward.

Mayte: Saint Teresa, in The Interior Castle, spoke of pride. It’s like a barrier on the spiritual path that prevents you from moving to the next level, so to speak. Do you tend to think well of your wife? Do you see her as better than yourself? Do you admire her often? Do you thank her frequently? These are the questions that can help you discover whether humility exists in your heart.

Paco: Well, the diagnosis is clear. What can I do?

Mayte: First, ask for Grace and pray often, so that the Lord reveals who you truly are. But beyond that, acts of obedience will be good for you. Does your wife correct you?

Paco: Often.

Mayte: And how do you react?

Paco: Honestly, not well. I see so many flaws in her that I don’t understand how she dares to correct me.

Mayte: Well, if instead of focusing on her, you choose to obey her, it will do you an incredible amount of good.

Paco: And what about her?

Mayte: What she has to do, that’s her concern. What about you? Do you want to experience what Christ feels in that sincere, joyful love that fills life with peace? Then do what He does, to reach with Him what He reaches. That is the prize. That is the promise.

 

Mother,

Thank you for introducing us to this Project of Love. Thank you for allowing me to live these experiences. Thanks be to God for the gift of love. I am not worthy to share these experiences with you. I love you. Praise be to the Holy Trinity!