Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.'”

Jesus in Gethsemane looked upon all the sin of humanity at once. He saw every rejection of God, every act of ingratitude, and he willingly took it all upon himself. He saw the suffering of so many marriages, the abyss that sin opens between so many spouses, and he suffered in agony. He took upon himself all our sins and became the greatest sinner so that, through his love, he might free us from them.
Dear spouses, in these days of Lent, when an abyss opens between you, when communion becomes difficult, when you are tempted to think there is no solution, go and seek Jesus in Gethsemane. You will see him sobbing and trembling with cold and fear. Embrace him, console him, and simply say to him: my dear Lord, I no longer want to make you suffer. I accept your salvation. I want to love with you.

Brought Down to Married Life

George: This morning I took some time to pray in front of the tabernacle. I had a small booklet about the Stations of the Cross and I found myself contemplating the station of Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane. I simply could not leave. I felt that the Lord was asking me to stay and console him.
Louisa: Are you keeping the resolution you told me about for this Lent, using your coffee break at the office to go to the church?
George: Yes. The first few days were difficult. I always had an excuse: not enough time, a colleague inviting me for coffee… But the Lord is filling me with a desire to be with him. Some days I have simply stood there looking at the tabernacle, knowing that he is there. Nothing more.
Louisa: I love that you share this with me. And I want to accompany you, for both of us to be with him. There is no better way for us to be more united.
George: Yes, I love that. The two of us with him, in his Heart.

Mother

Let us go together to Gethsemane. Let us not leave your Son alone. Blessed and praised be the Lord forever.