GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,

so that the boat was being swamped by waves;

but he was asleep.

They came and woke him, saying,

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,

and there was great calm.

The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,

whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

The word of the Lord

 

Rescued

Lord, today You tell us that we hold back a part of our heart for ourselves, and that we don’t give it to You as Your children because we lack faith in the face of difficulties.

You tell us to rest in Your plan—that when challenges arise between us, You become stronger and more powerful if we turn to Grace through prayer and the sacraments, especially the sacrament of our marriage.

In times of trouble, if we act as Your children and come to You, You show Your power and rescue us from the storm, lifting up our sacrament with all Your Grace and with all Your Power.

Applied to married life:

Carmen, arriving home for lunch: Hi love, how was your morning?

Elías: Bad. I don’t even want to talk.

Carmen: Well, what fault is it of mine that your day went badly? Go deal with it yourself! I’ve got enough on my own plate!

(Later that afternoon, after prayer and with God’s Grace and the grace of his sacrament, Elías approaches Carmen…)

Elías: Love, forgive me. At lunch today, my pride came out because of the difficulties I’m going through at work. And instead of turning to the Lord for help, I lashed out at you.

Carmen: It’s okay, Elías. I didn’t help either. Instead of welcoming and understanding you, I also hurt you.

Elías: What do you think—should we pray now and ask the Lord to help us trust more in His plans?

Carmen: That sounds like a wonderful idea! And tomorrow we’ll offer it to the Lord at Mass.

Both together: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…

Mother,

May we, like You, say Yes to God’s Plan. Teach us to say: “Let it be done to us according to Your word.” Praised be the Lord.