GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The word of the Lord

 

“Blessed‑Spoused”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, who ask their husband for help, recognising him as a minister of God’s grace.

Blessed are the meek, who accept themselves as they are and accept their husband as he is, without trying to change him.

Blessed are those who mourn, who neither flee nor become indifferent to their husband’s suffering or misfortunes.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to love and to be loved, seeking the good and the happiness of their husband.

Blessed are the merciful, who do not judge their husband, forgiving him any offence, no matter how serious.

Blessed are the pure of heart, who see God’s work in events and in their husband.

Blessed are the peacemakers, who work to cultivate peace with their husband in their heart.

Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, who do not lose heart despite their husband’s lack of understanding.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven, and you may begin to live it here on earth.

Applied to married life

John and Ana were celebrating their twenty‑sixth anniversary with a weekend getaway to a sanctuary, to celebrate it together with Him. In the very early hours of the morning, alone before Him, in the half‑light, they share their happiness.

Ana: John, what is happening to us? What mystery is this?

John: Tell me, what are you discovering, what is He showing you?

Ana: A poverty that empties my soul, filling it completely with Him, and divinising it through His humanity and through yours, dear John.

An immense consolation in the midst of tears for the pain I have caused Him with my wretchedness, which soaks and purifies my spirit with His tenderness, which moves me deeply.

A true abandonment that leads me to live as though I did not live, with an indescribable meekness. He lives. He is the one who acts — do you sense it?

A hunger and thirst to please Him, so that He may restore goodness and beauty in everything and in everyone. My goodness… how beautiful you seem to me, dear John! I see your heart, and in it, I see Him: a pure heart, full of good intention.

And you, John, tell me: what are you discovering, what is He showing you?

John: His Mercy in you, Ana, in which I rest, being born anew.

A longing to open my heart wide to Him so that He may set everything in order — absolutely everything — and that I may live His peace.

A burning desire to be an offering alongside you, without fear of persecution, rejection, or the loss of security. To be, in everything, nothing. My life is Him. All that is mine is yours, Ana, for Him.

Ana: My life is Him, John. All that is mine is yours, with Him.

Together: Our life is Yours, Jesus. All that we have, in You, for others. Works, works, works… of eternal life.

Mother,

teach us to live the Beatitudes, the true face of your Son. May He be forever blessed and praised, He who redeemed us with His Blood.