From the Gospel according to Luke
9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

When we make mistakes for whatever reason, remorse arises for the harm we have caused, for the wrong we have not yet repented of, and it hurts us deeply to think of the pain we may have inflicted. Yet the solution is so simple: to ask for forgiveness.

Admitting we were wrong and doing what we can to repair often costs us more than we expect, weighed down by that stain of original sin. And yet, it is always possible — knowing the reward is greater. When this happens, we must look within our hearts, for there lies the source of our love, the very centre of our being, where we discover who we are and above all our immense capacity to love.

At the first sign of remorse, we must ask forgiveness, go to confession to cleanse our soul, and bring light to the world with the love within us. For without realising it, our hearts are far more united to the Heart of Christ than we think.

As married couples, we must make full use of the grace we receive through the sacrament, where we are called to be of one heart, closely united to the Sacred Heart of Christ and the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary.

Mary: Happy anniversary, Simon! I give endless thanks to God today for everything we are living together through our marriage.
Simon: Happy anniversary! It is such a gift — everything we share, and how each day with you is better than the last.
Mary: Yes, how our life together has changed since we discovered all that we have and receive through the grace of our marriage.
Simon: Discovering that there is always a greater reward when I step out of myself to give everything without expecting anything in return — and above all, learning not to leave anything unresolved for tomorrow, thinking time would fix it.
Mary: Exactly. How easily we used to let things slip by, without realising the harm it caused — and how often we said, “It will pass”… But we’ve changed that into a quick “forgive me,” showing both our smallness and how much we still have to grow.
Simon: Yes, you are my daily light. Each day I find myself asking: is there anything unresolved? And when I realise there is, it’s easy to come to you to make it right, putting aside the shame of having failed, knowing it’s the very best thing for both of us.
Mary: Today is a special day worth celebrating. Shall we go to Mass together this evening to give thanks to God and Our Lady for all we have received?
Simon: Brilliant idea! We could even go a bit earlier, so we can go to confession and make a fresh start.
Mary: Perfect.

Mother,

Thank you for showing us the quickest way — through forgiveness — to reach the Sacred Heart of your Son. Glory be to God!