Gospel of the day
So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’
My God and my Lord, it is painful to recognise that, through my sin, I can become a thief in the life of my spouse — one who steals, harms and causes damage. Forgive me for “feeding” them with what does not satisfy: my pride, my ideas, my expectations, my insecurities… Teach me to live in inner silence so that I may recognise your voice, and to pray so that my heart may be purified by your blood. Shepherd me, my Jesus. Only in this way will I draw my spouse to you, and together we will pass “through you”, the gate of heaven. Love of all loves, who steals hearts and draws them in: who can resist your burning voice?
Brought down to Married Life
John returns home late at night, once again. He barely greets her. He sits on the sofa and avoids conversation.
Earlier that morning, while praying, something had stirred in the heart of Maria, his wife. In the silence of prayer, she heard a voice — not the voice of hurt, but that of Christ: “John needs my love. What will you give him to drink?”
There is John, sitting on the sofa. Maria feels the impulse to react… but the voice echoes in her heart: “What will you give him to drink?”
Maria approaches him and says:
— You seem very burdened these days. Are you alright?
John replies abruptly:
— Yes, everything’s fine. I’m just tired.
Before, Maria would have insisted with a reproachful tone. Not today. She sits beside him in silence and, after a few minutes, rests her head on his shoulder.
That gesture breaks something.
John sighs… and, without looking at her, says:
— The truth is… I’m quite overwhelmed. Work isn’t going well… and I feel like I can’t keep up with everything.
Maria could take the opportunity to reproach him, but she hears again: “What will you give him to drink?”
Maria says:
— That must be very hard to carry… you’re not alone, my love.
John, breaking into tears, embraces Maria and says:
— Thank you, my love.
Mother,
Teach us to listen to the voice of your Son.
Blessed and praised be he forever,
he who redeemed us by his blood.