Gospel of the Day
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 20:20–28
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping and asking something of him.
Who said to her:
“What wilt thou?”
She saith to him:
“Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.”
And Jesus answering, said:
“You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink?”
They say to him:
“We can.”
He saith to them:
“My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.”
And the ten hearing it were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
But Jesus called them to him and said:
“You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister. And he that will be first among you shall be your servant.
Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Will the Excuses Be Enough?
As St John of the Cross said: “At the evening of life, we will be judged on love.”
Will our “buts” and excuses really hold up? “But my husband was…”, “But my wife…” — will they matter?
What is the commandment that sums them all up?
“Hear, O Israel!”
But do we really listen to the Lord?
Like the mother of the sons of Zebedee, we ask for “reasonable” things by human standards:
“Lord, I ask that my husband would change this, because it’s not fair…”
“I ask that my son would be this or that…”
But the Lord answers: Do you know what you’re asking?
Do you truly want to be great in My eyes? Then, like the Son of Man, go and serve. Give your life.
So, let’s stop making excuses. Let’s stop pointing at what others fail to do and instead focus only on serving, giving our lives, and loving — even when it’s hard.
And who will tell my spouse what they need to change? Leave that in the Lord’s hands.
You? You focus on doing God’s will, on giving yourself, on loving.
And then — just watch what the Lord will do through the grace of your marriage.
Applied to Married Life
Mar: I can’t take it anymore. Another fight with Ángel. He just doesn’t help at all. I have to do everything myself. It’s not fair. I’ve told him a thousand times. And I keep asking the Lord to change him, at least for the sake of setting a good example for the kids.
Mentors: Mar, have you taken this to prayer? What does the Lord say?
Mar: Of course I’ve prayed about it! I tell the Lord all the time how Ángel behaves, how he doesn’t help…
Mentors: The Lord already knows how you feel. But — do you read His Word and then listen to Him? In silence, with loving attention?
Mar: Hmm… I think I talk too much and don’t listen enough…
(One month later)
Mar: Dear mentors, thank you so much for what you told me. Since we spoke, I’ve been trying to really listen to the Lord, reading His Word and actually listening… and I’ve realised that I never stop judging Ángel, always focusing on what he does wrong. I’d forgotten to see his heart, how wonderful he is, and all the good in him. I was so fixated on the bad that I lost sight of the good.
And I’ve taken literally what Jesus said about serving and giving one’s life — so I’ve stopped demanding things from him. It’s hard, but I really feel God’s help.
Mentors: What joy, Mar!
Mar: And guess what? Last night during our couple prayer, Ángel said he’s noticed my effort, that before he felt awful about all the things I used to say to him, but now he sees me more affectionate, he sees how much I love him, and he’s trying to do better — not to upset me and to help me more.
Mentors: How great is the Lord! How deeply He loves us!
And don’t let your guard down — the struggle continues, but this is the way.
Listen to the Lord, give your life, and love more each day.
Mother,
A thousand thanks for everything — especially for your Son, who shows us the way.
Help us to listen to Him, to deny ourselves, to embrace the cross of each day and to follow Him.
Praised be the Lord!