From the Gospel according to Matthew, 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Go and Announce
The darkness of going through a trial or difficulty can lead us to doubt whether we are truly following the right path. John the Baptist although he had pointed to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” also lived moments of darkness in prison, and he had to send his disciples to ask for answers.
In the face of our doubts, the Lord answers with witnesses: Go and announce what you are seeing and hearing. Marriages that were blind, lost, now see the gift they are for one another; those who were living their sacrament in a mediocre way now see the beauty of their marriage; those who were broken by their sin are cleansed and begin a new life; and those who were closed to grace now welcome the Word that saves them. Even couples who had been separated for many years, “dead”, rise again, and the life of their marriage is renewed.
You spouses who are witnesses of all this: do not get tired of announcing what the Lord has done in you and what you contemplate in the Conyugal Love Project retreats.
Applied to Married Life
Steve: Hi Helen! How was your day?
Helen: Good. And yours?
Steve: Well, I ran into Charlie and he told me things are terrible with Kris, that they’re going through a huge crisis and he doesn’t think he can take much more. He said the only reason he’s still at home is because of the kids… and he even told me they might be better off separating.
Helen: Oh my goodness!
Steve: I told him about our own experience, how a couple of years ago we were in a very similar situation, and we were invited to a Conyugal Love Project retreat, and our life changed. We discovered how beautiful our marriage really is.
Helen: And did you tell him we’re not the only ones who’ve discovered this? That there are thousands of couples who have experienced the same thing?
Steve: Yes, and above all that there is light in everything that happens to us. That the difficulties remain, but you learn to live them with the Lord.
Helen: I hope you mentioned the tutor couples, that we never walk alone, that there are those wonderful stretcher-bearers who carry us closer to God…
Steve: Of course! And I invited him to the next retreat.
Helen: And what did he say?
Steve: I could see a ray of hope in him. He said he would bring it up to Kris.
Helen: That’s wonderful! That’s already a step. Now it’s our turn to pray and make sacrifices so that they accept and embrace God’s plan for their marriage.
Steve: Well then, let’s get to it!
Helen: Good. And yours?
Steve: Well, I ran into Charlie and he told me things are terrible with Kris, that they’re going through a huge crisis and he doesn’t think he can take much more. He said the only reason he’s still at home is because of the kids… and he even told me they might be better off separating.
Helen: Oh my goodness!
Steve: I told him about our own experience, how a couple of years ago we were in a very similar situation, and we were invited to a Conyugal Love Project retreat, and our life changed. We discovered how beautiful our marriage really is.
Helen: And did you tell him we’re not the only ones who’ve discovered this? That there are thousands of couples who have experienced the same thing?
Steve: Yes, and above all that there is light in everything that happens to us. That the difficulties remain, but you learn to live them with the Lord.
Helen: I hope you mentioned the tutor couples, that we never walk alone, that there are those wonderful stretcher-bearers who carry us closer to God…
Steve: Of course! And I invited him to the next retreat.
Helen: And what did he say?
Steve: I could see a ray of hope in him. He said he would bring it up to Kris.
Helen: That’s wonderful! That’s already a step. Now it’s our turn to pray and make sacrifices so that they accept and embrace God’s plan for their marriage.
Steve: Well then, let’s get to it!
Mother,
Help us never to grow tired of thanking the Lord for what He has done for us and of announcing it to other marriages.
Blessed and praised be He forever!
Blessed and praised be He forever!