GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke
LK 9:43B-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

The word of the Lord

Admiration and humiliation.

Jesus’ reaction to the admiration from everyone is to tell his followers: “Get this into your heads: the Son of Man is going to be handed over by men.” This refers to the apparently “lowest” moment of his life on earth when he was going to be treated like a criminal. He does not want to lose sight of that moment.

While we as spouses try to immediately put aside our misery and smallness and put ourselves above each other, Jesus repeats to himself over and over again that his destiny is to be humiliated and killed.

This is the path that the Husband teaches me: Avoid admiration and let yourself be humiliated. Because whoever humbles himself will be exalted by the Father.

Applied to married life:

Rachel: You have to see how hard you try to look good to others, huh? That’s right. They have idealised you.

Paco: Raquel, you’re hurting me.

Rachel: Well, you put up with it. This is the third time you’ve left your cell phone at home. And now, when we’re separated, how can I find you? You make a lot of effort for the others, but for me, you don’t make any effort at all.

Paco: Sorry, Rachel, I didn’t do it on purpose. You know get distracted very easily. Next time I’ll try to pay more attention. You matter more to me than anyone else. (Paco prays quietly: Lord, I offer you this bad time for the love I have for my wife, so that You can help her get closer to You).

Rachel Well, it doesn’t look like. I’m very disappointed. I don’t know how I’ve put up with you for so many years.

Paco: (Paco gets quiet and offers the intention for his love to Rachel: Wife, you’re not taking my life from me, I’m giving it for you).

Mother, 

Jesus, the Master, teaches us to avoid praise and admiration from others, and to be humble. How difficult it is for us to understand this, but if He teaches us this way, we will do it. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.