Gospel

‘You shall love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.’
Matthew 22:34–40

At that time: When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’

The Gospel of the Lord

God, a Person

God is the source, and we are His expression. To know Him is to love Him so that we may love one another. Two commandments in one, leading us into communion, to seeing Him in everything and in everyone. To a fullness in which the measure is no longer our calculations, but the absence of them. Between “loving you as myself” and “loving you as God loves me”, there is trust in Him, there is vulnerability in me, there is wonder at you… In short, there is intimacy with the God who created the cosmos, with my God, who is a person just as I am.
And God, who is He to you?

Applied to Married Life

Jonathan and Martha are praying together as husband and wife, in the presence of the Lord.
Jonathan: Lord, thank You, because before I knew things about You, but I did not know You. Today I know that You are a Person who knows me, listens to me and loves me personally. Thank You for Martha, because in giving myself to her, I discover how You give Yourself to me. You teach me that loving is not about seeking my own good, but desiring hers, to the point of giving myself for her. Thank You for teaching me to love as You love!
Martha: Lord, thank You because You live with me, You look at me and desire what is good for me. Thank You because I experience Your Love through Jonathan, especially when he loves me even when I do not deserve it. The more I know You, the more I discover who he is to You. Teach me to love him without keeping score, regardless of how he treats me, with the Love I receive from You. Thank You because, in giving myself to him, I encounter You!
Jonathan: Lord, how wonderful! The more we love You, the more we love one another! And the more we give ourselves to each other, the more we come to know You.
Martha: Thank You, Lord, because You have not simply called us to fulfil two commandments, but to live in one communion of Love with You and with each other. Amen.

Mother,
Show me Your Son; I want to know Him. May He be blessed and praised for ever, for He redeemed us with His Blood.

Gospel

‘Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’
Luke 13:1–9

There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’
  And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

The Gospel of the Lord

Fruits of Conversion.

In this Gospel, the Lord invites us, as husband and wife, to be the gardener in the parable. At those moments when our spouse seems more like a hindrance than a help, He invites us to look at them through His eyes of mercy, just as the gardener looks at the fig tree that bears no fruit. The Lord invites us to love truly, as He does, especially when things seem to be going wrong, when it seems that our spouse is doing more harm than good to the family, and the world tells us that it is not worth trying any more, that we should give up, that they will never change, that all they do is hurt us and our family. He urges us to be patient and hopeful, to always give another chance, to give ourselves completely and do everything in our power so that the fruits the Father expects from our spouse may begin to grow. We must dig around them and nourish them with love, self-giving and sacrifice, without losing heart, always forgiving and repaying evil with good, so that the Lord may transform their heart and they may finally bear the fruit they are called to bear. Because it is when they deserve it the least that they need me the most. And our mission is to love as He loves and to lead our spouse to Heaven. Married couples, are we willing to love to the point of laying down our lives for our spouse, as the Lord laid down His life, and continues to do so, for each one of us?

Applied to Married Life

Rose: You know, Richard, as I was praying with today’s Gospel, the parable of the fig tree that bears no fruit made me think about us. How often we spend much of the day together, and yet each of us just goes about our own business.
Richard: That’s true! There are so many days when we come home tired, and then we have to make dinner, tidy up, look after the children… and sometimes we don’t even ask each other how our day has been.
Rose: And I’ve realised that, at those moments, if you then answer me rudely, I respond even worse. In the end, instead of helping each other, we end up throwing all sorts of things back at one another. It’s difficult for our love to bear fruit like that!
Richard: You’re absolutely right, Rose. But look at Jesus: He doesn’t give up on the fig tree, and He doesn’t give up on us either. He always gives us another chance to change. He never tires of trying. We need to follow His example. I can start by helping more around the house and listening to you without looking at my mobile phone. What do you think?
Rose: And I can stop constantly reminding you of everything you do wrong and start appreciating the good things you do. We don’t need to wait until everything is perfect before we love each other better.
Richard: Exactly. Let’s nurture our relationship every day, even through the little things. And let’s nourish our love with small gestures, forgiving one another and seeking God’s Will together.
Rose: And praying together every day, so that Jesus may teach us to love as He does, to love each other as He loves us. Then our marriage will truly bear fruit.
Both: Lord, transform our hearts and make our marriage fruitful. Teach us to love truly. Amen.

Mother,
teach us to persevere in prayer, so that we may learn to love as God loves us and thus bear abundant fruits of Love. Blessed and glorious are You, Mother! Praised be the Lord for ever!

Gospel

‘You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’
Luke 12:54–59

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming.” And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”, and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
  ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Knowing How to Interpret

Lord, in this Gospel You urge us to know how to interpret everything that happens to us through the eyes of a true believer. Our fallen nature distorts the way we see the world, so that I “always” see myself as a victim: people ignore me, they treat me unfairly, I am the one who has to bear the heaviest burden at work… The same happens, or even more so, in our marriage with our wife: “I am always” the one who makes the greatest effort, the one who puts up with the most, the one who listens the most, the one who… You, Lord, teach me that the opposite is true: I am the one who owes a duty of service to my colleagues at work, and even more so to my wife. When I see myself as a victim, it is a sign that I need to go to confession, to purify my way of seeing things, and there, in the confessional, to leave at Your feet every last little coin. Thank You, Lord, for my Suitable Helper, because she is the one who will help me to come out of myself and thus walk together towards You.

Applied to Married Life

Charlie: Hello, my dear Mary Jo, how has your day been?
Mary Jo: Hi, darling! I’ve been rushed off my feet. We’re really busy at work, and there are the children’s beginning-of-term meetings, too. Anyway… I’m looking forward to having a little time with you to relax.
Charlie: (thinking: “Blimey, she hasn’t even remembered my meeting, and she hasn’t asked how my day has gone.” He turns away and walks off.)
Mary Jo: (thinking: “Oh! How strange, he’s walked away without coming over to give me a kiss or anything. Something’s wrong with him; I’ll go and talk to him.”) Charlie!
Charlie: Yes?
Mary Jo: Today’s Gospel has come into my heart.
Charlie: What do you mean?
Mary Jo: Knowing how to interpret the signs. And I’m interpreting that something I’ve done has upset you. Forgive me, because whatever it is, I did it without realising and without wanting to hurt you.
Charlie: You certainly have interpreted that correctly… To be honest, it upset me that you didn’t ask me about my meeting or how my day had gone.
Mary Jo: You’re absolutely right! I was thinking only of myself and forgot to ask you about that meeting that was so important to you. Forgive me. How did it go?
Charlie: Surprisingly well. I was coming home so happy, looking forward to sharing it with you, and I fell headlong into temptation because of my pride.
Mary Jo: Let’s pray and place everything in the Lord’s hands. And let’s give thanks for having cleared up this misunderstanding so quickly. Thank You, Lord, for such a wonderful husband!
Charlie: Thank You, Lord, for such a lovely wife!

Mother
Thank You for your Yes. You are our model of humility in welcoming the Word of the Lord. We love You very much! Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Gospel

‘I have not come to give peace but division.’
Luke 12:49–53

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided: three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

The Gospel of the Lord

The Fire of Love.

Lord, the fire You speak to us about is the fire of Your Love, the love of God, the truth that transforms the heart and the Spirit who urges us to live in a new way. You desire this fire to burn because You have not come to leave us indifferent. Your message invites us to change, to abandon selfishness, to forgive and to love even when doing so is difficult. When You tell us that You have not come to bring peace, but division, You are not inviting us to provoke conflict; You are warning us that living according to the Gospel can lead to misunderstanding, even among the people we love most. Not everyone accepts the same values or is willing to follow the same path. We can experience these difficulties in our own families, too. Jesus, You do not ask us to stop loving our loved ones, but rather to let our love for God help us to love them better and draw them closer to You: without controlling, without humiliating, without lying and without abandoning what is good out of fear of conflict. And when You speak of the baptism You must undergo, Jesus, You express the anguish You feel at the suffering that awaits You. You know the price of Your self-giving, and yet You continue on Your way out of love for us.

Applied to Married Life

Rose: Hi, John. You seem a little quiet and distant. Is something wrong?
John: Yes, Rose, you know me so well. There’s something I need to tell you, and I don’t know how to do it because you might not like it.
Rose: Tell me without fear. You know you can always count on me, whatever it is.
John: I know, Rose, but I don’t like hurting you, especially through my clumsiness, and even less through my selfishness. I’ve committed us to helping the parish with a marriage preparation course.
Rose: Well, John, that’s not a bad thing at all; quite the opposite, it’s a great idea, and you know I’ve always agreed with you about taking part in anything that helps others.
John: It would be for the whole weekend, and it’s the last weekend of this month.
Rose: Oh, that’s the same weekend we were going to have a family meal with all my family. Well, I think they’ll understand, although I was really looking forward to it. But helping with what you’ve been asked to do seems more important to me.
John: But there’s more. I could have chosen another weekend because the parish priest, Father Manuel, was happy to change the date so that we could take part. But I chose that weekend because I really didn’t feel like going to your family gathering. At the time, I saw the opportunity and put myself before everyone else.
Rose: Now I understand your silence. But don’t worry; it means much more to me that you’ve told me yourself than if I’d found out another way. Although I already knew, Father Manuel called me to tell me about it and explain how he wanted us to run the course.
John: And you’re not going to get angry?
Rose: Honestly, it makes me sad, but I can’t get angry over something like this. I understand you because I know my family isn’t easy, and I know you always make an effort. And although I was really looking forward to it, I understand. There will be other opportunities.
John: Forgive me, Rose, and thank you so much for welcoming me and accepting me in this situation. You’re wonderful. I love you.

Mother,
Help us to allow God’s love to transform our lives, even when that transformation is not always understood by others. Blessed be God.

Gospel

‘Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.’
Luke 12:39–48

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, Know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
  Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.’

The Gospel of the Lord

A Faithful and Prudent Steward of Love

God loves us passionately. He has created us and given us the gift of life, faith, our vocation, our spouse, the Sacrament of Matrimony and our family. What have we done to deserve so much? Nothing. His Love is freely given: we do not have to earn it, nor can we buy it; He gives it to us because He loves us. And yet, although He gives it to us as a gift, it has cost God the life of His own Son. Such is the immensity of His Love for us!
And now, through the Sacrament of Matrimony, God entrusts me with a beautiful mission: to bring that Love to my spouse. What is a faithful and prudent steward of love like? He is faithful when he never stops loving, even when it is difficult, when he is tired, when he does not understand what is happening or when he does not receive what he expected… And he is prudent when he knows how to find a way to convey that Love in every circumstance: with patience when his spouse fails, with understanding when they are overwhelmed, with tenderness when they need comfort and with mercy when they make a mistake. Today, in my prayer, I can ask myself: Am I attentive to what my spouse needs from me at every moment? Could my spouse discover, through me, just how much God loves them?
Lord, teach us to be faithful and prudent stewards of love, who know how to give our spouse each day the Love we receive from You.

Applied to Married Life

David: I messed up at work today. I made a mistake in something I really ought to know perfectly well. I’m so frustrated. Sometimes I think I can’t do anything right, and I feel as though I’m letting you down.
Rachel: David, do you think I love you because you do things well? If tomorrow you couldn’t work, if you couldn’t do any of the things you do now, do you think I would love you any less?
David: Sometimes I’m afraid that if you saw me as I really am, with all my insecurities and failures… I try so hard to be strong, to solve problems, to make sure you and the children never go without anything… And it frightens me to think that one day I might not be able to cope with everything…
Rachel: David, I didn’t marry a man who could cope with everything. I married you. Do you think God loves us less on the days when we fail?
David: I suppose not…
Rachel: I don’t think so either… Sometimes we forget how precious we are in God’s eyes… You don’t have to prove anything to me for me to love you. And if you can’t cope with everything today, let me be here for you… Come on, give me a kiss!

Mother,
Lend me Your eyes so that I may discover each day the treasure God has given me. Blessed and praised be You!