GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke 14:1-6

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine

at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,

and the people there were observing him carefully.

In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.

Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,

“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”

But they kept silent; so he took the man and,

after he had healed him, dismissed him.

Then he said to them  

“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,

would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” 

But they were unable to answer his question.

The Word of the Lord

 

Efficiency or Love

So often, we do things out of habit or simply because they need to be done, rather than out of love. Today we see how the Lord places love, care and charity above the act itself.

We may do many things, but if they are empty and without love, they are worth nothing. As St Paul says, “If I have not love, I am nothing.”

Within our marriage, an act done with love makes Christ Himself present, and He, in turn, enables our love to grow.

So ask yourself: In my day-to-day life, am I focused on being efficient and doing more and more, or do I do things with love and out of love?

Applied to married life

Mariam: Darling, we need to do the shopping, then call the doctor and pick up the children for their after-school activities…

Enzo: I know, but I’m not going to have time to do everything, Mariam.

Mariam: It’s always the same. I do a thousand things, and I have to get everything done to keep the household running…

(Mariam, after prayer)

Mariam: Enzo, I’m sorry. During prayer, the Lord showed me that I place more value on getting lots of things done than on the love I put into them. And that isn’t what makes our home work. Only love can make our family, rather than simply our household, truly work.

Enzo: Don’t worry, darling. With everything we have to do, it’s only natural that your mind is focused on getting things done.

Mariam: Thank you for being so understanding, darling. It’s wonderful that you know when to slow me down.

Enzo: Well, as we saw in the previous Proyecto Amor Conyugal catechesis, we complement each other really well, don’t we?

Mariam: Yes! How lovely that you remembered! You’re wonderful!

 

Mother,

May we, like you, do everything from Love, with Love and for Love. Blessed are You, Lord!