From the Gospel according to Matthew 21:28–32
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.”Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
Love The LOVE
To you, dear soul, the Lord speaks. Do the will of the Father; do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Do not postpone what Love is asking of you. Give everything. That idea stuck in your mind that you know you are holding back. That standard you do not want to let go of. That surrender that frightens you. That renunciation you try to negotiate. What you keep and do not give ends up fragmenting and desolating your heart. Surrender peacefully to the Love that does not fight; do not negotiate, do not give yourself in parts. Give yourself completely at once, just as He gave Himself entirely for you on the Cross. Does your heart not move at the inexhaustible love of a God who seeks you tirelessly? The prophets already proclaimed it: “God does not grow weary or tired,” “My love will not be taken from you,” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Where will we find such love? May it not be so hard for us to love Him by doing His will! He will never force you; He will always draw you with His love but you must use your strength, your will, to struggle against yourself, because it is from yourself that He comes to save you. Return to His Heart, if at any moment you have strayed. The way back is Christ, perfectly obedient to the Father. Be obedient too. Give Him what you hold back and what He asks of you. Give Him your heart and its affections; give Him your little treasures; give Him your marriage and give Him your misery; the kind no one wants; He does want it. Give everything you have accumulated in this life that does not truly belong to you, because everything is a gift. Strip yourself of everything, be left with nothing, and you will find Everything. And with your gaze fixed on Mary, Mother of God and your Mother, let yourself be guided. She will teach you; let yourself be formed desire to arrive, and you will arrive.
Applied to married life
Karen: Peter, I wouldn’t like you to go out for drinks after the company Christmas dinner. Last year you drank too much and you know what happened…
Peter: My goodness, Karen, are you really asking me that? That’s when we really relax, talk, and build team spirit, which the company badly needs. Everyone is looking forward to that moment! I can’t do that to them, Karen.
Karen: (sad tone) Okay, my love, do what you think is best.
On the night of the dinner, Peter arrived home at midnight, and Karen was reading in bed.
Karen: Well, you’re already back! I’m so happy!
Peter: And I’m happy too, Karen. I won’t deny that it was very hard for me to leave right after dinner, it really was. And the comments from my coworkers… you can imagine… But I couldn’t get out of my head what you told me and the love with which you told it, so I grabbed my coat and left.
Karen: (smiling) Thank you, my love.
Peter: No, thank you, really. You have no idea the feeling of victory I had while walking home. This is a real high, not the kind rum gives. hahaha
Karen: Glory to God!
Peter: Glory to Him, my beautiful and suitable helper always to Him be the glory!
Mother,
Help us always remember your words and make them our own: “Let it be done to me according to Your will.” Everything for the greater glory and praise of our God!