From the Gospel according to Luke14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dineat the home of one of the leading Pharisees,and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.”When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,do not recline at table in the place of honor.A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,’Give your place to this man,’and then you would proceed with embarrassmentto take the lowest place.Rather, when you are invited,go and take the lowest placeso that when the host comes to you he may say,’My friend, move up to a higher position.’Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Then he said to the host who invited him,”When you hold a lunch or a dinner,do not invite your friends or your brothersor your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.Rather, when you hold a banquet,invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Invitation Is Your Spouse

In the heart of Christ, we are given the first place. He invites us to His great banquet. Yet we often reject that invitation, betraying Him—spied upon, arrested, judged, slapped, beaten, mocked, scourged, condemned, shoved, insulted, humiliated, pierced, crucified, abandoned, mistreated, killed, buried… and finally raised by His Father and seated at His right hand.

So, where do you want to live—where do you want to have the first place? In His heart, or in your own? In His heart, you die in order to live; in your own, you live only to die.

Which feast do you long to attend—the great banquet of heaven, or a shabby party with cheap wine and an eternal hangover?

Maybe you wonder when and where this banquet will be, what food will be served, or how you should dress. The answer lies in the heart of your spouse.

Your spouse is God’s invitation to the banquet. In the intimacy of your marriage lies the great promise. In your sacrament, the doorway of entry. Do you want to attend? Do you want to be holy?

Applied to married life:

(Louis speaks with Peter, his mentor, about his marriage with Marie)

Louis: Yesterday she told me she doesn’t feel anything for me anymore. She wants to leave. She asked me for divorce.

Peter: Come here—let me give you a hug. You know you’re not alone, right?

Louis: I feel so powerless.

Peter: Maybe it’s time to ask Christ to do what you cannot.

Louis: How do I do that?

Peter: Ask yourself: who comes first in your heart—your own suffering, or Marie’s? When you give yourself to her, is it pure, or do you expect something in return? Is your self-giving complete, or are you holding something back? Have you been faithful—not just in what you do, but in your thoughts and desires?

Louis: Then… is this my fault?

Peter: This isn’t about blame. It’s about the truth: you carry Christ’s power within you to live your marriage in His way. Joy brings us together, but suffering unites us. Think about it—joy gathers us around Christ, but it’s in suffering that we are most deeply united with Him.

Louis: And where should I start?

Peter:Start before the Blessed Sacrament. Don’t say anything. Don’t demand anything. Just humble yourself and ask Him to show you your truth. Don’t be afraid. When He reveals your weakness and you accept it, His Spirit will come, and with His love, you’ll be able to walk with Marie.

Louis: But I have no strength left… not even hope.

Peter: Loluis, whether you see it or not, you’ve just received an immense grace. You’ve come to the point where your faith and your hope are not enough—you must ask for Christ’s. We think that when life is running smoothly, we’re at peace… but in reality, we’re slowly dying. To live Christ’s truth, you must be born again, and labor pains are part of that birth. But there is no greater fullness than living in the truth that only His Spirit can give.

Louis: Peter, I’m really going to need you on this path. Right now it’s hard and difficult to understand what you’re saying.

Peter: What we’ll need most is Him. And even if you can’t see it yet—that’s what faith is for. In the meantime, in His hope, I will be with you, helping you in everything you need.

Mother

Perfect Bride who remained faithful to the Bridegroom, show me the way.
Would you like me to also condense this into a short reflection + prayer (like something a couple could read together in 2–3 minutes during prayer time)?