From the Gospel according to Luke 12:8-12

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’

Deny Him or bear witness to Him.

Husbands and wives, today Jesus invites us to ask ourselves whether He truly occupies the centre of our hearts and our lives. Are we living out the covenant we once made with Him, or are we denying Him through the way we love one another? We may say that we believe in Him, but it is in the way we love each other every day that we reveal whether we are living out the covenant we once made with Him. When I close my heart to my spouse, struggle to forgive or stop giving of myself, my life ceases to reflect the love of Christ. On the other hand, when I welcome my spouse, remain by their side and seek communion, even in difficult moments, our marriage becomes a living witness to Jesus. And how wonderful it is that Jesus reminds us today that we do not have to do this alone or rely solely on our own strength! The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us through the grace of the Sacrament, gradually teaches us how to look at one another, how to listen, what to say and how to love. If we allow ourselves to be guided by Him, even our difficulties can help us encounter Christ anew, purify our love and renew our gift of ourselves.

Brought into married life:

Isaac: Darling, I’m feeling overwhelmed about the catechesis we’re due to give to the group this month. I feel as though it all depends on me, and I don’t know how to get the message across.
Rebecca: Isaac, what if we stopped worrying so much about what we need to say and asked ourselves what the Lord wants to do in us and in the other married couples?
Isaac: I know, but I’m afraid my mind will go blank…
Rebecca: Look, Isaac, we’re not going there as experts. We’re going as a married couple trying to live out what God proposes to us through the catecheses of St John Paul II.
Isaac: I know, but… what if we can’t find the right words?
Rebecca: Isaac, don’t worry about how or what you’re going to say. The Holy Spirit will teach us at that very moment what we need to say. Let’s prepare, pray and trust in Him.
Isaac: So it’s not about getting everything perfect…
Rebecca: Exactly. We offer our hearts, and the Lord provides the grace.
Isaac: Thank you, Rebecca. It’s reassuring to realise that it doesn’t all depend on us.
Rebecca: Exactly… let’s prepare, pray and trust in the Holy Spirit.
Isaac: So… less worrying and more trusting.
Rebecca: And more prayer, darling.

Mother,

Make us docile to the Holy Spirit and faithful to Jesus. Accompany us so that our marriage may be a witness to His love. Blessed and praised be the Lord for ever!