Gospel

From the Gospel according to Matthew 23:23-26

Jesus said:“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,and have neglected the weightier things of the law:judgment and mercy and fidelity.But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,so that the outside also may be clean.

The Gospel of the Lord

The Greatest Reward

How often it happens to us just like the scribes and Pharisees! We worry about so many things and forget what truly matters: our sacrament. We take care of what is outside—making sure the house is in order and doing my share, work, our moment of rest, hopefully a little prayer—yet we don’t stop to look at the state of our heart and our communion.
The Lord asks us to pay attention to justice, so that we may give ourselves to our spouse just as we promised; to show mercy, so that we may share in the sufferings and weaknesses of our husband or wife when they are going through a difficult time; to refrain from judgment, keeping away thoughts, looks, or actions that are unworthy of our sacrament. May the Lord never have to say to us, “Woe to you…!” Let us purify our hearts. It will hurt, I assure you, but the reward is great: Heaven.

Applied to married life

Ana speaking with a priest:
Ana: Father, I feel so lost. I’ve gone few days without praying the rosary, and honestly, I haven’t been faithful to my time of prayer either… I also forgot some little acts of mortification, and the other day at dinner I know I overindulged. I am a mess!!
Priest: My daughter, it is very important to care for prayer, the rosary, and all that you have mentioned, it is true, and you must strive for it. But never forget what Saint John of the Cross used to say: in the evening of life, we will be judged on love. God does not look at what we do, but at the love with which we do it. Look at the love with which you pray the rosary to Mary; look at the love in your prayer to God; look at how much you love your husband in each small act of self-giving. If you practice mortification, ask yourself why and for whom. It is not about what you do, but about how much you love.
Ana: The truth is, Father, I often feel overwhelmed with all I have to do and the sense that I can’t keep up. Something inside me told me I wasn’t seeing it rightly.
Priest: Love, my daughter. Fall deeply in love with Jesus. Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And love your husband as Christ loves you. Everything else will follow.
Ana: Thank you, Father, for your guidance.

Mother,

Your Immaculate Heart is where I long to find my reflection; your Immaculate Heart is the joy of God. Help me to love as You love, in You and with You. Praised be the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!