From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:1–5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

Little

When the disciples ask the Lord who is the greatest, they probably expect Him to speak about greatness, power or recognition. But the Lord places a child in their midst and completely changes their perspective: in the Kingdom of God, the greatest is the one who makes himself small.

To make ourselves small means recognising that we need God and also others (who are a means through which God reaches us), especially our spouse. A child does not try to control everything; rather, he trusts his father and is willing to be taught.

In marriage, we often want to be “the most important”: to be right, to have the other person acknowledge our efforts, to have things done our way… And without even realising it, we enter into a struggle over who is more in the right.

Today, the Lord shows us a different path: to make ourselves small before our spouse. The way forward is to allow humility towards our spouse to reign in our heart, rather than self-love.

Am I able to ask for forgiveness without waiting for the other person to do so first? Can I admit when I am wrong? Can I listen without already preparing my reply? When one of us makes ourselves small out of love, we do not lose; quite the opposite, we gain: we grow in humility and our marriage gains too, because it is strengthened.

True greatness lies in the simple things we do each day with our spouse in mind: listening to them, helping them, asking about their day… In this way, we allow Christ, in His humility, to reign between us.

Brought into Married Life:

Nathan: Maggie, could you pick the children up from school today? I’m really pushed for time.

Maggie: Nathan, I’ve got loads on as well… I took them to school this morning, I’ve done the shopping, and I still need to get dinner ready.

Nathan: I know, but I have to finish this before six.

Maggie: Nathan, it always seems as though what you have to do is more urgent or more important than what I have to do…

Nathan: Yes, I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m only thinking about what I need and not about what you need.

Maggie: No, you forgive me. I could make myself small now too, instead of getting into the whole “I do more than you” argument.

Nathan: All right, darling… How about I pick the children up today while you get ahead with dinner?

Maggie: That sounds good. And this evening, if you’re really tired, I’ll take care of the children’s baths.

Nathan: I love that! See? In the end, it wasn’t about who was right, but about who was willing to make themselves small out of love for the other.

Maggie: Nathan, now you really are right!

Mother,

Help us to be like children: simple, humble and trusting in our Father.

Praised be the Lord!

From the Gospel according to Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
‘Peace to this household.’
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.’
Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you, 
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day 
than for that town.”

Set Out on the Way!

“Set out on the way,” the Lord tells us. Husbands and wives, set out on the way and proclaim My Kingdom! Proclaim that it is possible to live the Kingdom of God in this life. It means renouncing my selfishness, my pride, my own way of thinking and the ways of the world, and living life and marriage as God intended.

At times, we may feel like sheep among wolves, as though we are going against the current, and we may be afraid. But if God is with us, we have nothing to fear. Let us trust in Him!

Let us remain firm in the Faith, live in a state of grace and turn to His Sacred Heart. There we will find strength and consolation. God alone is enough!

Brought into Married Life:

Charlotte: Luke, once again we’re going against the current. Mary told me that all her friends are going to a party. She explained it to me, and to be honest, I don’t think it would be wise for our daughter to go.

Luke: Have you explained our reasons to her?

Charlotte: Yes, and for now she has accepted them. You know that, thanks be to God, she is docile. She loves God and wants to live her Faith. But the world has such a strong influence, and it frightens me.

Luke: But Charlotte, we have to let go of fear, trust in the Lord and pray constantly. God does not abandon us. He sends us out like sheep among wolves, but He is our Shepherd; He lays down His life for His sheep.

Charlotte: You’re right, Luke. I’m the one allowing myself to be influenced by worldly ways of thinking. Our true strength is in God.

Luke: Exactly. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Charlotte: Thank You, my God, for my husband.

Mother,

Mary, our Mother, you who gave us Jesus, teach us to live His Kingdom and to bring it to everyone.

Blessed are you!