Monthly Archives: October 2025

Ready to Love! Reflection for marriages. Luke 12:35-38

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From the Gospel according to Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

 

Ready to Love!

Jesus invites us to live with our waists girded. In those times, girding one’s waist meant being ready for work, service, or mission, because a loose tunic would hinder free movement. Today, that gesture challenges us: to rid ourselves of our lazyness, of any attachment that hinders our self-giving, such as the pursuit of our own pleasures, the stubborn defense of our own viewpoints, our selfish love, and so on.

Let us live in grace, imitating Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life. As Christians, we know that, in the image of Christ, we are not here just to live life, but to give it away, and in doing so, we find the joy of living for what we were created for: to love. Let us live, then, awake and watchful, ready to give of ourselves at every moment, for love of Christ and for the one He has entrusted to us; our husband or wife. Blessed will we be if, when the Lord comes to take us to our eternal home, He finds us like this: girded, vigilant, and poured out in love. Ready to love!

 

Applied to marriage life

Clare and Matt sit in silence late at night in the living room. The children are asleep, and only the ticking of a clock can be heard.
Clare: What are you thinking about, Matt? You’ve been quiet for a while.
Matt: Today, one of my coworkers asked me a question that really got to me. He said, “If you had only one week left to live, what would you do?”
Clare: And what did you say?
Matt: At first… nothing. I just stood there thinking. Then I realized that if I only had one week, I’d want to spend it on what really matters: you, the kids, God, loving you all better. And that’s when something clicked.
Clare: What was it?
Matt: That if those are the truly important things… why do I always put them off? Do I need to be a week away from dying to start living what really matters? I realized I give too much of myself to things that won’t last… work, worries, wasting time on nonsense on my phone, even basketball, which I love of course, but in the end, none of that goes with me to eternal life. But our love, our dedication to our children, our faith… those do.
Clare: I’m so glad you realized that, my love. We have to stay so alert… Sometimes we run so fast after what fades away that we forget to care for what never dies: love, self-giving, union with God, in in summary, what leads us to eternal life.
Matt: Yes, Clare… I hope that if one day someone tells me I only have a week to live…
Clare: Oh Matt, don’t start with that…
Matt: [laughing a little] Well! Or if someone asks me that question again, I won’t feel like I have to change much maybe nothing at all. That would mean I’m already living the way I should.

Clare: Then let’s do it, Matt. Because listen… shhh (you can hear the ticking clock): time is passing… and it won’t wait. Let’s go!

 

Mother,

Your life was one of constant readiness for God’s will. No excuses, no delays, always ready to give yourself, to love, and to serve.
I want to live like you and give glory to God! Praised be you forever!

Tiredlessly. Reflection for marriages. Luke 18:1-8

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Gospel
From the Gospel according to Luke. Lk. 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.  And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Tiredlessly

The Lord longs to have a personal relationship with each one of us. We just have to truly believe it. But sadly, He asks us whether He will find faith expressed in that kind of intimacy. How often do we come to the Lord only to ask and ask… and after a while, we stop asking, we stop speaking to Him about that one thing, and we start asking for something else. And so it goes on without ever entering into a true intimate relationship with Him, where our concerns become His concerns, and our life becomes a continuous conversation with Him, marked by trust.
The same can happen in marriage, our relationship with our spouse can become just about asking for things or managing responsibilities, without any real intimacy. Functional marriages without true communion. Just as a soul without prayer is like a dead soul, a marriage without prayer eventually begins to “die.” Daily conjugal prayer is the best way to build that intimacy shared by three: between the spouses, with the Lord in the center leading us to true life.
Husbands and wives! What are you waiting for to begin that journey of prayer with perseverance? The Bridegroom is waiting for us!

Applied to married life:

Martin: Tess, don’t you think Anthony and Rachel are a bit over the top with all that prayer stuff?
Tess: Well, sometimes I think so too. Honestly, it even stresses me out a little.
Martin: But it’s also true that when we do pray, we’re better.
Tess: You’re right. Now that I think about it, when we pray and persevere like they tell us to, something changes in the way we see each other, or at least I feel like you look at me and I look at you with more… mercy?
Martin: It’s like we wake up from a long sleep. And on the other hand, when we don’t pray, we get lazy, sluggish, and everything feels harder.
Tess: I think in the end, they’re right. Without prayer, without grace, we can do nothing.
Martin: That’s true. I’m thinking today we could go to Mass and then stay a bit afterwards to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
Tess: That actually sounds good to me.
Martin: Maybe we’ll even start to enjoy it! [laughs]

 
Mother,

You who kept all things in your Heart, teach us to pray like you, with that silent, intimate prayer so pleasing to God.
Blessed Mother! Blessed be God!

We have everything we need. God alone is enough. Reflection for marriages. Luke 10:1-9

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Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke. Lk. 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'”

We have everything we need. God alone is enough.

The Lord tells us, “set out on the journey.” He always takes the initiative through a catechesis, a retreat, a conversation with a married couple… we receive the Truth, His merciful love, and then He tells us again, “set out on the journey.” Stop moving in circles, don’t get stuck in doubts or mediocrity. Start walking toward the One who is Truth and Love. He also tells us He is sending us out “like lambs among wolves.” In that call to go forth, He is telling us to prepare our hearts, to be strengthened through prayer, to live in communion in marriage by persevering in self-giving with humility, and receiving one another with love, because when we live this way, we allow the Lord to dwell in our hearts, so that it is He who leads us in mission, and not our own ego. The Lord tells us, “carry no purse, no bag, no sandals,” meaning: trust in Him and in His providence, free from worldly attachments, so that our decisions are not driven more by money, material goods, or security than by being in communion with Him. Then He says, “greet no one on the road,” which means: do not get distracted, even by seemingly good reasons that might be excuses for not doing God’s will. The Lord is in a hurry. He tells us, “the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Let us be constant in prayer so that God may bring more workers to His harvest.

Applied to married life:

Paul: Mom, sometimes I feel weird around my friends… Like I don’t fit in. They make fun of me or look at me differently because I don’t talk like they do or do the things they do.
Maria: I understand, son… and it hurts me to see you like this. But you know what? Jesus already knew this could happen to us. That’s why He said He was sending us out like lambs among wolves.
Paul What does that mean, Mom?
Maria: Sweetheart, it means that sometimes, when you follow Jesus, you’re going to feel different… but you’re not alone. Being a lamb doesn’t mean being weak. It means being strong while still being good, and you’re being very brave. Dad and I have often felt the same way, but our trust in the Lord has made us stronger.
Paul: But sometimes I get tired, Mom…
Maria: I know, love. But every time you choose to do what’s right, even if no one applauds you, you’re being a light to everyone around you. And that, even if you can’t see it now, can touch many hearts. Jesus is very proud of you and so are we.

Mother,

Thank you for calling us to live like You. Even when we are not understood, give us love, meekness, and strength to be Your witnesses in our family. Blessed and praised be the Lord forever.

Part of the Plan. Reflection for marriages. Luke 12:1-7

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From the Gospel according to Luke 12:1-7

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven that is, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Part of the Plan

In today’s Gospel, the Lord reminds us that even the hairs on our head are all counted. Nothing escapes Him. In our day-to-day lives, there are no coincidences, nothing is left to chance by God the Father.  Everything is part of His plan of salvation for us. And for us as spouses, the Lord has a very specific plan: that plan is my spouse. He is counting on my spouse for my salvation and on me for hers/his. In a way, He makes us co-redeemers! That means my talents and my spouse’s talents are there to be given away.  And so are our weaknesses and failures, because it’s through those challenges and trials that we both grow. By receiving my spouse even in his/her sin or struggle, our marriage is strengthened and refined in the fire of testing.
There’s nothing greater or more exciting than knowing the Lord invites us to be part of one another’s salvation!

Apply to married life:

Sam: Hey Mary, love, could you bathe the little one today?
Mary: Sam, I’m so tired. I just finished work and I still need to make dinner!
Sam: Well… maybe you could stop work a bit earlier so you’re not so tired?
Mary: (pauses, thinking…)
This is the moment the Lord is giving me to receive His grace and to receive Sam in his weakness.
This is my opportunity to keep purifying my heart.
So… I’ll choose to welcome God’s grace and grow in humility.
Mary: Sam, my love, I’ll bathe the baby. You go rest, I know you’ve had a tough day.
Sam: Love, you have no idea how much it means to me that you understand me. Thank you, muah!
Mary: Of course. Let’s both thank God, because He’s the one changing our hearts and our marriage. Sound good?
Sam: Absolutely, love!

Mother,

You said “yes” to God’s plan. Teach us to say “yes” in every situation, even when we don’t understand. Praised be the Lord forever!

Jesus Warns Us. Reflection for marriages. Luke 11:47-54

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From he Gospel according to Luke 11:47-54

 

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets hed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

 

Jesus Warns Us

Today, Jesus, because He loves us, gives us a warning: “Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held accountable.” Woe to you who don’t enter in, and who block others from entering! Today is a day to examine myself: What is in my heart and in my behavior that keeps me from entering the Kingdom of Heaven and from living in a state of grace? And what in me might be making it harder, or even impossible, for my spouse or my children to enter? Maybe it’s my need to control everything and always be right… Maybe it’s my bursts of anger, my lack of patience, or the way I speak harshly. Maybe it’s my attitude when rather than welcoming and encouraging them, I bring discouragement and sadness. 

Thank You, Lord, for waking me up! Blessed are You how deeply You love me!

 

Applied to married life:

(At night, during conjugal prayer)
Tim: Carmel, forgive me. I’ve been unbearable today, grumpy, snapping over every little thing. I’ve been stuck all day in the mess inside my heart. And what hurts the most is knowing I dragged you down with me.
Carmel: Tim, yes… it’s been a tough day. And instead of receiving you in your brokenness, I added mine to it. We hurt each other and we hurt the Lord too.
Tim: I want to help you live a little piece of Heaven here with both of us united to the Lord. I long for that deep intimacy, the three of us together.
Carmel: Our Sacrament of Marriage is such a gift. How many times Jesus rescues us through it.
Tim: Tomorrow, I’m going to ask the kids for forgiveness. I really pushed them too far today.

Carmel: My dear husband… you have such a beautiful heart.

 

Mother,

With you, my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Praise be the Lord!