GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

This I command you: love one another.”

The word of the Lord

 

Spouses, Friends of the Lord

As married couples, we have been chosen by the Lord to be His friends by loving one another as He has loved us. In doing so, we build a friendship with Him. We might consider other ways to cultivate our relationship with Him, but it seems that His priority is this: That we love each other as He loves us. So, it’s not enough to just pray—though it’s also true that without prayer and the sacraments, it is impossible to love as He does.

 

Applied to married life:

Carmen: If we don’t make the effort to value each other more, then we’re not really being friends of the Lord. Do you understand?

Luis: I understand. Praying to God while doing the work.

Carmen: Right, but do you love me just as I am?

Luis: Of course I do.

Carmen: Then why do you keep complaining about me all the time? You create an atmosphere that doesn’t help me at all, you know?

Luis: Yes, I get it. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and I don’t let you be yourself. Will you forgive me? Because what I want most is to love you.

Carmen: I forgive you. But try a little harder, okay? I know you’re in love with the Lord, and that’s why I say this.

Luis: Yes, and I appreciate it.

 

Mother,

Spouses who love one another as He does—that is what we want to be. Praise be to the Lord.