Monthly Archives: August 2026

The Language of Marriage. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 16:24–28

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 16:24–28
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples:
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
The Language of Marriage
As we read this Gospel, we see how the Lord teaches us the true key to love.
This is the language of our Lord, the Bridegroom of the Church. It is completely different from the message we hear in the world: whoever loses his life for Him—who is Love itself—will find it. In other words, I surrender my own will and my own way of thinking (my pride, my self-centredness, my laziness…) so that Christ may grow within me and within my marriage.
He grows whenever I choose to renounce myself out of love. He grows when I listen to my spouse instead of criticising. He grows when I seek to understand my spouse instead of keeping a record of wrongs.
In short, Christ—who is Love and the Bridegroom of the Church—grows in our marriage when we allow Him to act.
So let us give our lives through Him, with Him, and in Him, so that we may begin to live the Kingdom of Heaven here and now: in our hearts, in our marriage, and in our family.
Who does not want to discover true life as soon as possible? Let us not wait!
Applied to Married Life
Pepe: Laura, I was thinking of visiting my mum this Saturday.
Laura: I was actually going to suggest that we try the new café that has just opened on the estate and enjoy an aperitif there.
Pepe: That sounds like a lovely idea, but I’m happy with whatever you prefer.
Laura: You know, a few years ago I would have insisted on going to the café to try their famous tapas. But now that we’re praying together each day, and I’m learning what really matters to you, I’d rather give that up and go and visit your mum, because I know it makes you happy.
Pepe: Laura, you have no idea how much that means to me. I adore you!
Laura: And I love seeing you happy.
Prayer
Mother Mary,
Teach us that the law and the language of love may always reign between us, so that, together with Christ, we may help build His Kingdom of Love within our home.
Blessed be the Lord!

We Have Nothing to Fear. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 17:1–9

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 17:1–9
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 
We Have Nothing to Fear
“How good it is for us to be here,” Peter says.
“How good it is to be here,” we also say when, as husband and wife, we pray together. It is a moment in which we are allowed to share in God’s glory—a little taste of Heaven on earth. How much we have to thank God for: for the gift of our spouse, for this path of union with Him, and for the countless graces He pours into our lives each day.
Yet fear can also creep into our hearts. We become afraid of what God might ask of us. Jesus knows us. He knows our weakness. That is why, throughout the Gospel, He tells us again and again: “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
If we truly believe in Him and love Him, however imperfectly, we have nothing to fear. God is a loving Father who gives us everything we need to live in Him. If God is with us, who can be against us?
Applied to Married Life
Mary: Javier, we’ve been praying together every night for the past few weeks. Today, after spending some time in silence before the Lord, I felt such a deep peace.
Javier: So did I. For a few moments, it felt as though we had been given a glimpse of Heaven.
The following day, as they spoke about a growing sense that God was calling them to serve more in Proyecto Amor Conyugal, their fears surfaced.
Mary: What if we’re not capable? What if it leaves us with less time for ourselves? What if God asks too much of us?
Then they remembered the words of the Gospel:
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
They realised that God was not asking them to rely on their own strength, but on His. They thanked Him for the gift of their marriage, for the path of holiness they were walking together, and they renewed their decision to continue hand in hand, confident that if God was with them, they would never lack what they needed to fulfil His will.
Prayer
Mary, our Mother,
You who gave yourself completely to God, teach us to overcome our fears and to trust as you trusted. Blessed are you, Mother!

I Trust in You. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 15:21–28

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 15:21–28 
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But He did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked Him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.

I Trust in You
My good Jesus, You love us without measure. You are perfect goodness.
What are You teaching us in this Gospel through Your attitude towards the Canaanite woman? At first glance, it seems distant and unfeeling. Yet that cannot be, because You are Love itself. Why, then, did You respond in this way?
Your Heart was loving that woman even when it seemed that You were not listening to her or were refusing her request. What were You seeking from her?
You were seeking, as You always do for us, what is best. You wanted to draw out the very best in her—far more than the miracle she was asking for. She begged for her daughter’s healing, but You also desired the conversion of her heart. Conversion begins by recognising our own littleness, embracing humility, and persevering even when everything appears to be against us, never ceasing to trust in You.
That woman did exactly this. She persevered with humility, placing all her trust in You. And You worked the miracle. You marvelled at her great faith, transformed her heart, and granted her request.
Jesus, please help us to trust in You. You will act—not according to my plan, but according to Yours. Through my spouse, by helping me to give myself humbly, to persevere even when I do not understand, and to love even when it hurts. And You will act. In Your time, in Your way—but You will act. Thank You, Lord.
Applied to Married Life
Sandra: Juancho, I can’t take this anymore! It feels as though you’re doing it just to annoy me!
Juancho: But have you heard the way you speak to me straight away? Do I really matter to you?
(After spending time in prayer.)
Sandra: Juancho, please forgive me. I saw myself so clearly in the Canaanite woman. I ask the Lord for something good—for Him to heal our marriage—but I don’t see any results. Unlike her, though, I become angry with you and with Jesus. Today I’ve realised that if the Lord, who loves us infinitely, is allowing us to go through this, it is because this is precisely where He wants to heal us. He has shown me that I must begin by recognising my pride. Deep down, I look at you thinking about what I do well and what you do badly. I’m going to stop keeping score. I’ve asked the Lord to help me focus only on what I need to do: to learn how to love in every circumstance, whatever it may be.
Juancho: Thank you so much, Sandra. I also ask your forgiveness because I stopped fighting for us. It all seemed impossible. But I need to be like the Canaanite woman—to trust in the Lord and persevere. I need to stop looking at myself and start giving everything for our marriage, because it is the most important thing in our lives.
Sandra: Without a doubt, this is our path to Heaven. Let’s keep going! Since we can’t do it on our own, shall we ask for mentor couple support and begin again today with our daily couple prayer and going to Mass together?
Juancho: I think that’s a wonderful idea. Thank you so much!
Prayer

Mother Mary,
Please teach us to trust in your Son, to begin by recognising our own littleness, and to persevere faithfully. Blessed and praised be God!

To Be or To Do?. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14

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Gospel of the Day

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14
Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.”
To Be or To Do?
During the three years of His public ministry, Jesus constantly showed us how to live according to God’s will, fulfilling the Law in its fullness. He did not want us merely to do the right things, because everything ultimately depends on what is in the deepest part of our hearts. In today’s Gospel, we see a clear contrast between the Pharisees, who focus on doing, and Jesus, who calls us to being.
How can we, as married couples, teach our children and those around us what love truly is if, in our daily lives, they do not see us genuinely loving one another? We may tell our children not to argue, shout, be selfish, or make fun of one another’s weaknesses. But we must first ask ourselves: What example are we setting as husband and wife? Do we respect one another? Are we generous and helpful? Or do we sometimes make our spouse feel unappreciated, criticise them, lose patience, or focus more on their faults than on their virtues?
We should make a sincere examination of conscience. Are we striving each day to allow our hearts to be transformed by the Gospel, the sacraments, and prayer? Or are we acting like the blind leading the blind—whether our children, relatives, or friends?
How important it is first to be, so that we may then truly do.
The Gospel for today on the Vatican liturgical calendar is Matthew 14:22–36, while the reflection above is based on Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14, as provided in your text.

Applied to Married Life
(Jaime and Lucy are driving home after dinner with friends…)
Lucy: Jaime, I really enjoyed this evening, but I’d like to ask you something. When we’re with our friends, could you be a little gentler with me? Sometimes you’re quite harsh in the way you speak, and some of your jokes make me feel uncomfortable.
Jaime: Oh, darling! Come on, don’t be like that. You know that when I’ve had a couple of drinks, I can become a bit silly.
Lucy: That’s exactly my point. If we’re hoping our friends will draw closer to Jesus—they’ve drifted away a little—it won’t matter what we say if they don’t first see a real change in us: in the way we speak to one another, the way we look at each other, and in the little gestures that show how deeply you truly love me.
Jaime: You’re right, Lucy. I’m really sorry. Sometimes during evenings like this I get carried away by worldly things. My heart isn’t where it should be, and the old man comes out. What do you think about going to Adoration together tomorrow, so we can place our hearts back where they belong?
Lucy: I love that idea! I love you, Jaime!
Prayer

Mother Mary,
Help us always to live as you did, with integrity and consistency, faithfully doing God’s will in every moment of our lives.
Blessed be the Lord!

Fears. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 14:1-12

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Gospel

‘Herod sent and had John beheaded, and his disciples went and told Jesus.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 14:1–12

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord

Fears

In this Gospel, two different attitudes that we can take towards life’s situations are set in contrast. We can act in freedom, defending the truth and fearlessly proclaiming God’s law before the world—not to condemn people, but to call them to conversion, as John the Baptist did. Or we can act as slaves to human fears, to our passions, to what others may think, like King Herod, who imprisoned John because he exposed his sin, and eventually had him killed, trapped by his own empty words, spoken merely to please his guests and avoid breaking the promise he had made in public.
Husbands and wives, these same two attitudes can also be lived out within marriage. When my spouse points out my sin and tells me that something is not right, I have two choices: I can acknowledge my weakness and, with God’s help, seek to change; or I can react like Herod, turning against my spouse and imprisoning them in my heart because I refuse to accept their correction, because I do not want to recognise or renounce my sin. When we seek our own comfort, our pride or the approval of others, we drift further and further away from truth and love. There may even come a point when our fears grow so great that they bring death to our sacrament, committing a sacrilege by trampling upon the very God who unites us and dwells between us. When, however, we allow Christ to reign in our hearts, we become capable of loving our spouse with fidelity, even when that demands self-denial or sacrifice. Which path will I choose?

Applied to Married Life:

At Luke and Louise’s home:
Luke: Louise, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Louise: I’ve told you a thousand times to leave me alone. I’ll do what I want. There’s nothing wrong with going out with my lifelong friends. It’s my life, so stop interfering.
Luke: But darling, they don’t seem to be bringing anything good into your life, and I can see they’re driving us further apart…
Louise: Do you know what? I’ve had enough of all this lecturing! That’s it! I’m not your slave. Tomorrow I’m leaving, and you can get on without me!

At Paul and Philippa’s home:
Paul: Philippa, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Philippa: I don’t think we’re doing anything wrong, but why do you say that?
Paul: I don’t think they’re bringing anything good into your life. You always seem unsettled when you come home, and I feel it’s driving us further apart.
Philippa: To be honest, we do have a great time, but we almost always end up speaking badly about our husbands… You’re right, I can see that it’s not doing me any good. And if it’s also drawing me away from you… thank you for telling me and for opening my eyes, Paul. You come first for me. I don’t want anything to come between us.

Mother,
teach us to love one another truly with the love of God, as Christ loves each one of us and loves His Church, with a gentle and humble heart, so that the flame of love in our marriage may never be extinguished. Blessed and glorious are You, Mother! Praised be the Lord for ever!