Monthly Archives: December 2025

Saying Yes to God’s Plan. Reflection for marriages. Luke 1:26-38

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From the Gospel according to Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” 

Then the angel departed from her.

 

Saying Yes to God’s Plan

The scene in today’s Gospel is incredibly beautiful and gentle. It really moves you. We see Mary standing before the angel Gabriel, who announces God’s plan to her and asks for her consent to carry it out. And we see how she responds by accepting God’s will. From this scene, we learn from our Mother how to be ready to carry out God’s plan for us. It’s essential to live in God’s grace, to stay watchful, prayerful, and silent, and to be attentive so we can hear God speaking to us through the circumstances of our lives. God speaks to us through everything that happens to us. And even when His plan feels bigger than us, we’re called to trust it without questioning it. Mary doesn’t ask why it has to be this way; she asks, “How will this be?” She doesn’t try to delay or change God’s plan, she places her full trust in Him, just as she does with that life-changing “let it be done to me according to your word.”
God has a beautiful plan of salvation for our marriage. He has prepared a unique, one-of-a-kind adventure for my husband and me, so that together we may reach heaven and enjoy His Presence and Love forever. He has dreamed something great for us from all eternity, but He doesn’t want to impose it on us. On the contrary, He wants our yes to make it happen. Gently, He asks us: Do you want to welcome My plan of redemption for your marriage?
And how do I respond? What is our response to God’s plan? Do I prefer my own plan, with my own criteria, reasons, and sense of security? Or do I trust You, Lord? Here I am, your servant; let it be done in me according to your will. 

Applied to married life:

Alfie: The doctor confirmed that what I have is a degenerative disease. And I keep thinking, after all these years of working so hard to raise the kids, just now that things were finally calming down and we could start enjoying life a bit… this really sucks.
Annie: But we’re together, right?
Alfie: Yeah, but why is this happening to us now?
Annie: And when do you think would be the right time? Alfie, that’s not the question. The real question is: How are we going to face this? First of all, we need to thank God for everything He’s given us all these years. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Yes, you’re right. We’ve been really blessed, and we’ve received so many graces.
Annie: And next, we need to see how we’re going to offer this new season to God. We have to accept that what He allows is what’s best for us, even if we don’t understand it right now. We have to trust Him. To unite our sacrifice with His, so that it has redemptive value for us, for our children, for the rest of our family, and for others too. To carry it with joy, because if the Lord allows it, it’s part of His plan, and He wants to bring something very good out of it for us. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Carry it with joy? That feels impossible.
Annie: Of course it’s possible. I know couples who are going through similar situations. They’re offering it to the Lord, and it’s becoming a source of conversion for others. And they’re happy! What really matters is knowing what the Lord wants from us in this situation, and doing it, fulfilling His will.
Alfie: You’re right, my love. We have to trust God’s plan for us.

Annie: Then let’s live this trial to the fullest! together… in the Lord!

 

 

Mother,

teach us to always say Yes, like you, to God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May the Lord be praised forever!

Becoming mute? Reflection for marriages. Luke 1:5-25

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From the Gospel according to Luke 1:5–25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

 

Becoming mute?

Faced with the words of the Angel, Zechariah doubts the good news that is communicated to him. And because of that lack of faith, he becomes mute until the day of the presentation of his son. In this same situation, the Virgin Mary does not doubt; her question is meant to understand how it will happen, since she is a virgin and is betrothed to Joseph. She thus reveals her faith and her purity. Spouses, what is our attitude? That of Zechariah, or that of Mary?

 

Applied to married life

Louise: Hi love, how are you? You look awful… did something happen to you?
Owen: Oh Louise, you have no idea what a terrible day I’ve had! I didn’t call you to tell you because I didn’t even know what to say…
Louise: Oh wow, I’m so sorry. If you like, shall we put the children to bed and talk once they’re asleep?
Owen: Yes, please. Thank you very much.
Louise: Come on, let’s sit down now and you tell me. What happened?
Owen: My boss called me into his office and, without any hesitation, told me they’re firing me. Things aren’t going well and I’m no longer needed at the company. Imagine how I felt, I wasn´t expecting this. After everything I’ve devoted to this job, they fire me without any consideration… and at Christmas.
Louise: I’m so sorry. I know how hard that must have been for you. What would you like us to do?
Owen: I’d like us to pray together for a little while, to see if the Lord helps me see how we can face this situation.
Louise That sounds wonderful. (After the couple’s prayer)
Owen: Louis, the Lord has shown me that this situation can be a blessing for our family and that I must trust in His Providence.
Louise: Yes, Owen, it has given me a lot of peace too. I’m sure He has a better plan for us.
Owen: I’ll take advantage of these days at home to spend time with the children and with you. You are my priority. And I’ll start looking at job openings, and we’ll ask Him to lend us a hand.
Louise: Blessed and praised be the Lord, who loves us so much and takes such good care of us. 

Mother,

You are our model and guide in faith and in prayer; help us to see the provident hand of Your Son in every moment of our lives. We love you, Mother!

Trust. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 1:18-24

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From the Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Trust.

The Lord prepares our hearts in surprising ways, and without us realizing. He gives us unsuspected capacities to love and to give ourselves in difficulty. We have the example in Saint Joseph: it must not have been easy for him, yet what a great and self-giving heart he had out of love for the Virgin he renounced everything and trusted the message of the angel, setting aside his own judgment and giving his yes to God. I like to imagine Saint Joseph’s day-to-day life in the Holy Family, how attentive he must have been at every moment so that everything would always be what was best for the Virgin and the Child, without taking his own criteria into account and giving himself completely to his family. What a great teacher Saint Joseph is for married couples, with the certainty that by following his example of trust and self-giving, any situation always has some meaning in God’s plan, even if it is a mystery to us.

Applied to married life:

Becky: Hi Henry, we have to decide how we’re going to organize ourselves this Christmas and see which family we’ll be with on each date.
Henry: Ugh! Honestly, I don’t really feel like it. Lately we’ve had a lot of differences with everyone, especially with your family.
Becky: You’re right, they’ve been very pushy with us, and with the change we’ve made in our lives since discovering what we have. But where better to give of ourselves than within the family and show them how much we’ve learned?
Henry: That’s true, but it’s very tiring to endure one attack after another like a battle. It’s hard for me, and I don’t know if it’s worth it.
Becky: You have to trust in what we’ve received, and we have to try to give it just as others gave it to us. It wasn’t that long ago that we were just like them, and we didn’t accept anything outside our own criteria.
Henry: Honestly, it’s very hard for me, and without wanting to compare, the same thing happens with my family but they don’t mind, and with more or less indifference they’ve accepted our change.
Becky: I know. You’ve always gotten along very well with my family, and since our conversion they’ve sidelined you. But you know that if we stop going to see them, it’s very hard for anyone to show them the reality they’re living in, and we can’t remain indifferent.
Henry: That’s true. We have to show them that it doesn’t matter to us what they think of us and that nothing will change no matter how much they attack us. Surely one day they’ll appreciate it, even though now it seems like it’s useless.
Becky: I love seeing you so firm. Your renunciation and trust strengthen our marriage more and more every day.

Mother,

May we have Your marriage with Saint Joseph as our model, and may it strengthen our communion each day. Blessed be God.

It overwhelms me. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 1:1-17

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From the Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos,Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

It overwhelms me

It is astonishing to contemplate how an eternal, infinite, all-powerful God chose to come into the world in the same way as any one of us: within a family history, through a real genealogy, full of names and lives as imperfect as ours. He, who could have come wrapped in power and majesty, chose instead to arrive through the humble doorway of our humanity.
In Jesus’ genealogy there are names that mean almost nothing to history, imperfect lives, complicated families, disorder, sins… and yet, through all of this, God continues forward with his plan of salvation. Such is the heart of God: a heart that does not recoil from our poverty, that discards no one. When I contemplate this… I simply fall in love. What can I do but surrender to this Love? I can only say: Who is like God?
Lord, today in my prayer I want to contemplate this mystery: your greatness, your majesty made small; your self-emptying that makes you one with us… this humility of yours overwhelms me, surpasses me, Lord… and I can only adore you.

Applied to married life:

Isabella: Mike, I’ve been feeling nervous for days thinking about how we’re going to manage this year… my parents want us to spend Christmas Eve there; yours do too, but only to spite me, because in reality they can’t stand me… I’m exhausted before we even start! Every Christmas feels like an impossible test. Once again your mother reproaching me, your father always so serious, seeming annoyed with me, I don’t know… so strange… all of this overwhelms me… it’s been so many years of tension with them, with your siblings… I give up!
Mike: You know what I was thinking while reading Jesus’ genealogy? That there were conflicts there too, and some worse than ours… and yet God entered through that door. Jesus didn’t choose a genealogy of perfect lives, just as we don’t choose our families either…
Isabella: I’d never thought of it that way, honestly.
Mike: Maybe this family chaos is precisely the door through which Jesus wants to enter our marriage this year.
Isabella: I’m honestly afraid of going through the same thing again and continuing to suffer because of this. What can we do?
Mike: Well… I don’t know. To begin with, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, on that humility, that self-emptying out of love… If Jesus could be born from a wounded genealogy, he can also be born in our imperfect families. We can’t choose them, but we can choose to love them in the midst of all this mess.
Isabella: It’s going to be very hard for me, Mike. You’re going to have to help me…
Mike: Of course, my love. For now, let’s start by praying for them.

Mother,

how impressive God’s plan is, nothing is improvised. This entire genealogy has been prepared so that Jesus might reach my heart. Thank you, Mother, for opening the door of our humanity to him; help me to open my heart as well. Blessed and praised be you!

Love The LOVE. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 21:28-32

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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!