From the Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Love That Goes Beyond Reason

The Pharisee compares himself to others and “thanks God for how good he is,” stepping into a world of duties and achievements — where everything has a price… and every one else, his contempt.
The tax collector, on the other hand, looks within and trusts in God’s goodness — the doorway to a life of gift and grace.
And we, couples of Proyecto Amor Conyugal — what about us? Are we Pharisees, grateful because we’re “doing well” and have “already arrived”? Or do we still long for more?

Applied to married life :

Luis: Today, during prayer, God stirred something very deep in my heart.
Moira: Really? What happened?
Luis: When we did the Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreat, we began a journey that truly rescued us. But I feel Christ is asking for something more. We live a good, responsible faith… but maybe one that’s become too reasonable. We seek our own good, and that’s fine. But…
Moira: But what?
Luis: What about His heart? I realize I’ve been focused on our well-being. But how is His heart?
Moira: God is amazing… you’ve just confirmed something that’s been on my mind, and I asked Him for a sign. You just gave it to me.
Luis: Really?
Moira: Yes. Being so focused on our spiritual journey has made us a bit self-centered. Sometimes, without meaning to, we even judge those who don’t live like we do.
Luis: Without realizing it, we’ve been living our marriage according to our own plans. We need to make room for Him — to step out of our logic, stay more attuned to Him, and respond to what He asks of us.
Moira: Let’s pray then, so He can show us the “next steps.”
Luis: (laughs) Sounds like you just came out of a work meeting.

Mother,

teach us to “desire more,” for our hearts long for the infinite, and only your Son can fulfill that longing.
Blessed and praised forever be Jesus, who redeemed us with His Blood.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileanswhose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.He said to them in reply,“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this waythey were greater sinners than all other Galileans?By no means!But I tell you, if you do not repent,you will all perish as they did!Or those eighteen people who were killedwhen the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guiltythan everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?By no means!But I tell you, if you do not repent,you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,he said to the gardener,‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig treebut have found none.So cut it down.Why should it exhaust the soil?’He said to him in reply,‘Sir, leave it for this year also,and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;it may bear fruit in the future.If not you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Lord’s Patience

In this Gospel, we see some people coming to tell Jesus what others, in their opinion, have done wrong. It’s quite likely that, deep in their hearts, they’ve already judged and condemned them. This scene might feel familiar to us. How many times have I gone to Jesus —almost in an accusatory tone— to tell Him about the pain I feel because of something my spouse has done? To point out what, in my view, they’ve done wrong?

But Jesus doesn’t linger on the accusation. Instead, He uses the moment to challenge us with a powerful question: Do you think your spouse is more sinful than you? Do you believe you’re better simply because you haven’t fallen into the same sin? And then He tells us: You are not —so repent, or you too will perish.

At first, His words may sound harsh. Yet the Lord invites us to conversion with infinite patience. Even though He knows that, because of our lukewarmness, our comfort, or our selfishness —for whatever reason— we may have gone a long time without bearing the fruit He expects, He never gives up on us. He always wants to give us another chance, just like the fig tree in the parable.

His hope is placed in us; He never counts us as lost. That’s why Jesus asks the Father to grant our marriage another opportunity. If He hasn’t given up on my marriage or on my spouse, how could I? No, Lord. I want to work with You so that our marriage may bear abundant fruit.

Applied to Marriaged Life :

Victor: Why does everything have to be so difficult, Martha?
Martha: What do you mean, Victor?
Victor: I mean, even though we go to Mass almost every day now, and we pray together regularly, life doesn’t seem any easier. In fact, it feels like things keep getting harder. Now the kids complain that we spend less time with them.
Martha: Well, Jesus never said life would be easier —at least not from a human perspective. Remember, He said He didn’t come to bring peace but division. And He told us we’d only be worthy of Him if we carried our daily cross.
Victor:Yes, that’s true… but still, wouldn’t it help if external things went a little smoother?
Martha: Are you sure about that? During my prayer today, something struck me in the parable of the barren fig tree. The Lord says that to see if it will bear fruit, He’ll dig around it and spread  fertilizer-not flowers or something beautiful, but fertilizer.
Victor: And? I’m not sure what you’re getting at.
Martha: Think about it —to make the tree bear fruit, He doesn’t put flowers or pretty decorations around it. He uses fertilizer—something that smells bad, something unpleasant, but rich in nutrients. It made me realize that, in our marriage, the “fertilizer” God gives us often comes in the form of trials and difficulties. Because it’s through them that our love grows stronger. We don’t grow when everything’s easy; we grow when we face challenges together and overcome them side by side.
Victor: I see now —the fertilizer represents all the things we dislike, but that the Lord allows so we can strengthen our marriage.
Martha: Exactly.
Victoe: Thank you, Martha, for helping me see how much the Lord loves us —even when He sends us trials. I love you.
Martha: Thanks be to God, who helps us grow in love. I love you even more.

Mother,

teach us to recognize God’s will even in our difficulties. Help us trust that He is a loving Father who always sends what is best for us —even when we don’t understand it. And like you, may we always say “yes” to His will.

Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! Praised be the Lord forever!

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,”When you see a cloud rising in the westyou say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the southyou say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.You hypocrites!You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,make an effort to settle the matter on the way;otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,and the judge hand you over to the constable,and the constable throw you into prison.I say to you, you will not be releaseduntil you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Will It Rain This Weekend?

These days we rely more and more on weather forecasts that can tell us, at least a week ahead, whether it’ll rain or not — and usually, they’re right. That makes it easy to plan our weekends. We no longer have to look to the west or check which way the wind is blowing. Everything’s served to us on a silver platter, so we barely need to think anymore.

But maybe that’s part of the problem. It’s also becoming harder to tell what’s truly right or wrong, and we end up just going along with whatever society or the tv says is best for us. What a terrible mistake! The Lord reminds us that we won’t leave there until we’ve paid the very last penny.

Husbands and wives, how much do we still owe for not living the Gospel with integrity?

Applied to Married Life

Ed: Hey, Lucy! How was your day? What a downpour! And of course, I forgot my umbrella. I’m soaked!
Lucy: Oh, Ed! Go take a hot shower and get changed — you’ll catch a cold, and you’re getting everything wet.
Ed: Ah, that feels so much better now that I’m dry. Need a hand with dinner?
Lucy: Thanks, it’s almost ready. I was just sitting here thinking and thanking the Lord. Do you remember when I used to call you my weatherman? You were glued to the news and the weather reports, always checking your phone. We went out perfectly prepared for the rain or cold, but we never had time to pray or just sit and talk as a family.
Ed: Oh, I remember. We’ve changed so much since we went on the Project for conjugal love retreat and started praying together every day. And you’ve stopped watching all those gossip shows that were so toxic.
Lucy: Ugh, don’t remind me. Now when I visit my mom and she has them on, I can’t believe how much time I used to waste on that nonsense. You know, I even confessed for spending so many hours in front of the TV!
Ed: You’re amazing, you know that? You have such a beautiful soul. Let’s eat — I can’t wait to do our prayer together.

Mother

Thank you for everything. We know that you gently guide us, with a loving hand, into the presence of your Son, giving each of us what we need at every moment. We pray for all marriages and families going through dark times. Here we are, ready to help you lead them to Him.
Blessed and praised be He!

Gospel

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke
12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Asleep or Awake?

We live surrounded by hurry, noise, and endless responsibilities—so often pulled away from what truly matters: our love and our calling as husband and wife. These distractions numb our hearts. We end up living half-asleep, forgetting—or maybe never really knowing—who I am, what I’m here for, and what my ultimate goal is.

If my life and my choices don’t answer those questions, I’m lost—wandering without direction or purpose. I might be busy all the time, swept along by the pace of life, by noise, by shopping, by social media… but really, what am I doing with my life? Am I the person God wants me to be? Are we the kind of spouses God is calling us to become?

One thing is certain: our last day will come. We don’t know when—but we do know that the Lord wants to find us loving, because we are His children. We’re here to love, and Heaven is our final home.

To help us love well, God gives us many gifts. Saint John Paul II, whom we remember today, said in a catechesis:

“God entrusts talents and gifts to us; we will be judged by how we use them—by the faithfulness with which we manage them in our personal, family, and social lives.”

(General Audience, 1994)

When the Lord returns, may He find us using these gifts with joy and responsibility. To be faithful and wise means to care for what He’s given us—and to use it for the good of our spouse and our family, doing in each moment what love asks of us.

Applied to Married Life:

Paul: Teresa, you won’t believe this—my phone just sent me a screen-time alert saying I’ve been on it way too long today… I’m embarrassed to even tell you how many hours!

Teresa: Oh wow… I have to admit, I got that same alert yesterday and didn’t say anything. It’s crazy how much time we waste without realizing it! It’s honestly kind of scary—because it distracts us, scatters our attention, and makes it so hard to stay aware of God’s presence during the day… with all the messages, memes, and videos constantly popping up.

Paul: Yeah… but what really hits me is that time itself is a gift from God. He’s going to ask us how we used it. What will we say?

Teresa: You’re right. Enough is enough. The enemy has us fooled—numbed—and he’s stealing our time. And time belongs to God. No wonder he works so hard to take it from us.

Paul: Exactly! So, since we’re on this topic, maybe we should take a look at everything God’s given us—our faith, our marriage, our virtues, His grace. Let’s make sure we’re not letting those gifts slip away too. Come on, Teresa—let’s get to work. God’s entrusted us with so much.

Mother,

Don’t let us be deceived. Help us wake up from our numbness and recognize the gifts the Lord has placed in our hands. Everything belongs to Him, and to Him we offer it—

All for His glory, forever and ever. Amen