From the Gospel according to John 20: 19-23

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 midst and 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.

The Gospel of the Lord

Come In Without Keys

So often, like the disciples, we close the doors of our hearts out of fear—fear of being judged by our spouse, fear of criticism, fear of revealing our true selves. We stay silent, we hide what we’re really feeling, and in doing so, we close ourselves off from one another—and also from God and what He wants to do in us.

But when we trust in God’s plan for marriage, we open our hearts and rely on the grace that comes from the sacrament. When we let God lift us up with His strength, He creates a real bond of love between us and with Him. And something beautiful happens: we become more like Christ the Bridegroom. Just as the disciples recognized Jesus by the marks of His sacrifice, Christian spouses see Christ in one another when we give ourselves daily in simple ways: in a drink offered with love, a gentle touch, a kind response after a rough day. In these small and big acts of love, joined with Christ, our human love becomes divine. It becomes eternal and unites us deeply—with each other and with God.

Aplied to Married Life:

Jony: Marta, my love, are you okay?
Martha: (sighs, almost crying): Yes… why?
Jony: I don’t think you are.
Martha: You don’t?
Jony: No, Martha. What’s going on? I can tell something’s not right.
Martha: It’s nothing… really.
Jony: Come on, I know you. Tell me. Lately, you’ve been more irritable with Matt, and this morning you were a bit tough on him—don’t you think?
(Martha starts crying)
Jony: What’s wrong, my love?
Martha: I’m just so tired. It looks like I’ve got everything together, but I don’t… I feel like I should know what to do all the time, but I don’t. I’m especially worried about Matt. He’s going through a tough stage, and I feel worn out and scared we’re not raising him right. I lose my patience, yes—but I don’t know how to do better. You always say I’m a great mom, but most of the time, I feel unsure.
(Jony hugs her; she breaks down)
Jony: You’re not alone, love. We’re in this together—and most importantly, God is with us. There’s no need to fear. Let’s trust that our children belong to Him. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in raising them according to who they are—and then let’s rest in God. Let’s not be afraid. Let’s pray more.
(After a while praying together)
Martha: Thank you, Jony, for helping me open up. I feel a peace now that only comes through you and with God. Thank you for loving me and not judging me. When I see how you love and look at me, I see a glimpse of how God loves me.
Jony: You’re the most beautiful wife, inside and outside,I could ever have.
Martha: Oh, I love you so much.
Jony: I love you even more!

Mother Mary,

Help us, like you, to always trust in God’s plan without fear, and let His work be fulfilled in our marriages and families. May He be praised forever.