GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire,

and how I wish it were already blazing!

There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,

and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division.

From now on a household of five will be divided,

three against two and two against three;

a father will be divided against his son

and a son against his father,

a mother against her daughter

and a daughter against her mother,

a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law

The Gospel of the Lord

 

Servants of Unification

Sin divides my inner being and affects my relationship with God and with others, leading me to coexist superficially with evil—a division that breeds chaos.

Jesus, by contrast, brings a purifying fire that exposes this division and demands a choice; His message provokes conflict because I cannot love God and sin at the same time. He brings the division that restores the cosmos.

The deception is believing that the struggle, in Jesus’ name, is against my spouse, or against my children or siblings.

Benedict XVI wrote:

“Love is the fire that purifies and unites reason, will, and feeling; it unifies man within himself through the unifying action of God, so that he becomes a servant of the unification of those who were divided: thus man enters the dwelling place of God and can see Him.”

His love unifies me and enables me to serve the unity of those who are divided, allowing me to enter into communion with Him.

How beautiful is our vocation as spouses.

Applied to married life

(Oscar arrives home burdened and exhausted from key meetings that affect his professional future, and is met with Ana’s reproach.)

Ana: “You know how badly I’m doing, and you couldn’t even call me all day—and on top of that, you arrive late.”

Oscar: “I’ll go to the kitchen and bring you a glass of water.”

(As he walks to the kitchen, Oscar feels his blood boiling.)

Oscar: “My God, help me see Ana’s pain. Don’t let me revel in my own. May Your Spirit govern my thoughts, my feelings, and my gaze. May it be You who comforts her. I place myself at the service of Your daughter.”

(He returns to the living room and sits beside her.)

Oscar: “Sweetheart, forgive me if I haven’t been by your side as you need. How are you?”

Ana initially responds coldly, but he neither defends himself nor corrects her; he listens. Eventually, she feels welcomed and begins to calm down. She opens up, and little by little, she relaxes until she rests her head silently on his shoulder.

In that moment, Oscar feels as though his problems shrink. His mind clears. New possibilities emerge that he hadn’t considered when he walked through the door. He feels a peace that allows him to see everything from a new perspective. That embrace with Ana, that shared silence, leads him to glimpse the truth about his marriage, his work, and his own life. He feels a strength that integrates him inwardly and enables him to comfort Ana and face his fears.

Mother,

You who unite divided hearts, pray for us. Blessed are you!