Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Nowadays we like to have everything under control, everything secured, tied up neatly; we want to live in peace of mind, and so we take out all kinds of insurance — life, death, car, home, travel, health, even pets… In short, we like to feel safe.

Jesus, however, sends us out with no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no spare tunic… Apparently with nothing. But what the Lord asks of us is to place our trust in Him alone — and this is profoundly liberating.

What makes a word, a visit, or a smile fruitful is not ourselves, but the Holy Spirit acting through our poverty. St Paul explains it with a beautiful image: “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7). That treasure is Christ in our marriage. Even if we are fragile, even if we seem to have nothing, He makes His love shine through us — and in our poverty His providence is revealed more clearly.

This Gospel challenges us to review what we hold for granted. How many times do we put off doing good because we do not feel “ready”? How often do we think: when I have more time, more knowledge, more stability… then I will be able to…

Husbands and wives, we have a mission! We are sent to proclaim the Beauty of Christian Marriage and the Good News of the Kingdom of God in our families. We need nothing more than the love of God between us. It is not a matter of arguments, but of witness — that others may say of us what was said of the first Christians: “See how they love one another.”

Claire: Did you notice what your sister said to me yesterday?
Luke: What did she say?
Claire: That she was struck by the way you looked at me while we were talking at dinner. She said it seemed as though you were listening with all your heart.
Luke: But I didn’t do anything special…
Claire: It may feel natural to you, but to others it’s unusual. Sadly, it’s more common for couples to hurt one another with words, to ignore each other… and the way we treat one another speaks of God.
Luke: So… we evangelise without even realising it?
Claire: It seems so… She even told me it gave her great hope to see that such love is possible, and that it stirred in her the desire to love more deeply.
Luke: And to think that all I did was look at you the way I always do!
Claire: This time, as you say, we did it unconsciously. But now we must be intentional — our parish priest has long wanted to start a couples’ group and needs someone to help get it going and accompany the others.
Luke: Well, we’ve got no experience in this sort of thing; we’re only going with what we have — our availability and our gaze, hahaha… let’s go!

Mother,

Give us missionary hearts. We carry a treasure in jars of clay, but we do not go alone — you guide us and walk with us, and in the end your Immaculate Heart will triumph. Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!

From the Gospel according to Luke
8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

At first sight, this Gospel may seem puzzling, as it gives the impression that Jesus is disregarding His Mother and His relatives. Yet the reality is quite the opposite: He exalts them, showing the true reason why they are so close to Him — they listen to the Word of God and put it into practice. In doing so, they live in the same Spirit, which is what makes them one with Christ. Jesus seizes the opportunity to invite us to share in that same intimacy with Him.

For married couples, this means that there is no human bond stronger between us — and with Jesus — than the one given through the sacrament; the real presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling among us. Therefore, it is not simply about doing things together, sharing tasks or hobbies; it is something far deeper. Through our love, every time we give ourselves to each other, forgive one another, pray, and serve each other, united with Jesus, we allow Him to take flesh in us, to make us one, and to draw us into His intimacy. Who would ever want to miss that?

Emma: Oh James, I truly give thanks to God for the incredible union we are experiencing… and it is all thanks to prayer, James, and to the fact that we have been faithful to our prayer as a couple.
James: Yes Emma, that’s true. I used to think that maybe to grow closer we needed to share hobbies, or spend more time together… and of course those things do matter, but what is really helping us grow in love and in intimacy with each other and with the Lord is prayer. It is so important. It is essential to truly become one flesh; which is why the devil always tries to place so many obstacles.
Emma: Exactly, my love. We must be strong and persevere in prayer, because if we already feel so united now, we will be amazed at what the Lord will do with us if we never give up.
James: I’m giving it my best Emma. I’m giving the Lord a huge “Yes.”
Emma: That’s my dear James, oh how I love you!
James: And I love you…

Mary,

The holy Fathers of the Church used to say that you were more blessed for believing than for giving birth. You are the perfect model of a disciple who receives and treasures the Word. We ask you, Mother, that like you, we may always say hand in hand: Let it be done to us according to Your word. Praised be Mary forever!

The Lord speaks to all of us. But how is our heart prepared to receive Him? And how ready are we to welcome the heart of our spouse, through whom the Lord also manifests Himself?

Sometimes we receive His Word like seed fallen on the path, disguising our pride with reasons such as: “Christ’s message is not for me, this is just the way I am, it’s my wife who needs to change.”

At other times, like seed on rocky ground: I may feel called during a retreat to live our marriage as God desires, but then I return home and, at the first argument, pride swells up in me and I dismiss what I experienced at the retreat as worthless.

Or again, like seed among thorns: I believe in what St John Paul’s catechesis teaches, I believe my spouse is the helper suitable for leading me to Christ, yet I still put my attachments first: my outings, my daily reading, my hours at the computer, my beers, my coffees with friends, my football matches, before my spouse and family.

But it can also be like seed on good soil: I receive God’s Word with humility, recognising that on my own I cannot manage, surrendering myself to my spouse without expecting anything in return, savouring in prayer and the sacraments the grace of God, which makes His work sprout, grow, and bear fruit in our marriage, in our family, and in all those around us.

Brought Down to Married Life

Nora: Asher, I’ve just received the invitation to the start-of-year gathering of Marital Love Project this Sunday. Shall we go?

Mother,

Thank you for showing us the fruits of the seed of Your Son’s Word in our hearts.
Blessed and praised be our Lord!