Gospel

‘Why are you doing what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?’
Luke 6:1–5

On a Sabbath, while Jesus was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked and ate some ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?’ And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Looking with Your Gaze.

Jesus, today You invite us to look with Your gaze. The Pharisees remain focused on fulfilling the law; You, however, go beyond this and look at the heart. While they see an action to judge, You, Lord, see a need to welcome and a person to love.
Lord, how many times do I look at my husband through what he lacks, through what I expect from him, through what I would like to change! And, without realising it, I stop contemplating the mystery before me: a child loved by You, a person whom You know far more deeply than I do.
Teach us to look at our husband from Your Heart. To discover in him not only that which needs to be transformed, but also the silent work of Your grace, what You are doing in secret and which our eyes are not yet able to see. Grant us the grace to receive him as that gift which we still do not know how to value sufficiently, to love him in the truth of who he is and to welcome him with gratitude, without trying to mould him to our own measure.
Lord, what do You see in my husband that I still do not know how to value? Teach me to look at him as You look at him and to love him from Your Heart.

Applied to Married Life:

Louise: Andrew, why have you bought all this? I sent you a list and told you to buy only what was necessary. There are loads of things that weren’t on the list!
Andrew: I know… But I saw some things and thought you might like them. I bought the chocolate you like and a little treat for our daughter. I just wanted to give you both a bit of joy this weekend.
Louise: Andrew… forgive me.
Andrew: Why?
Louise: Because I’m looking at what you’ve bought, but I’m not looking at your heart. You didn’t do it out of irresponsibility, but because you were thinking of us.
Andrew: I just wanted to do something thoughtful for you both. I was looking forward to coming home and surprising you.
Louise: Oh, Andrew… I can only give thanks to the Lord for showing me the poverty of my heart. How easy it is to focus on doing things properly, according to our own criteria, and to forget the person in front of us. Like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, so focused on the rule that they forgot about the people. And I was doing the same thing to you. I was looking at the list and not at your heart… nor at the love with which you had done it.
Andrew: Don’t worry, Louise. I understand now that you only wanted to do things properly. Thank you for seeing it differently.
Louise: Today the Lord has taught me that, before looking at what you do, I want to learn to look at your heart. I want to look at your intentions, your affection and the love behind every gesture.

Mother,
teach us to look at our husband with the gaze of Your Son, to care for his heart and to discover in him the gift that God has entrusted to us. Blessed and praised be You for ever, Lord.