Author Archives: Esposos Misioneros

I Trust in You. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 15:21–28

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 15:21–28 
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But He did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked Him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.

I Trust in You
My good Jesus, You love us without measure. You are perfect goodness.
What are You teaching us in this Gospel through Your attitude towards the Canaanite woman? At first glance, it seems distant and unfeeling. Yet that cannot be, because You are Love itself. Why, then, did You respond in this way?
Your Heart was loving that woman even when it seemed that You were not listening to her or were refusing her request. What were You seeking from her?
You were seeking, as You always do for us, what is best. You wanted to draw out the very best in her—far more than the miracle she was asking for. She begged for her daughter’s healing, but You also desired the conversion of her heart. Conversion begins by recognising our own littleness, embracing humility, and persevering even when everything appears to be against us, never ceasing to trust in You.
That woman did exactly this. She persevered with humility, placing all her trust in You. And You worked the miracle. You marvelled at her great faith, transformed her heart, and granted her request.
Jesus, please help us to trust in You. You will act—not according to my plan, but according to Yours. Through my spouse, by helping me to give myself humbly, to persevere even when I do not understand, and to love even when it hurts. And You will act. In Your time, in Your way—but You will act. Thank You, Lord.
Applied to Married Life
Sandra: Juancho, I can’t take this anymore! It feels as though you’re doing it just to annoy me!
Juancho: But have you heard the way you speak to me straight away? Do I really matter to you?
(After spending time in prayer.)
Sandra: Juancho, please forgive me. I saw myself so clearly in the Canaanite woman. I ask the Lord for something good—for Him to heal our marriage—but I don’t see any results. Unlike her, though, I become angry with you and with Jesus. Today I’ve realised that if the Lord, who loves us infinitely, is allowing us to go through this, it is because this is precisely where He wants to heal us. He has shown me that I must begin by recognising my pride. Deep down, I look at you thinking about what I do well and what you do badly. I’m going to stop keeping score. I’ve asked the Lord to help me focus only on what I need to do: to learn how to love in every circumstance, whatever it may be.
Juancho: Thank you so much, Sandra. I also ask your forgiveness because I stopped fighting for us. It all seemed impossible. But I need to be like the Canaanite woman—to trust in the Lord and persevere. I need to stop looking at myself and start giving everything for our marriage, because it is the most important thing in our lives.
Sandra: Without a doubt, this is our path to Heaven. Let’s keep going! Since we can’t do it on our own, shall we ask for mentor couple support and begin again today with our daily couple prayer and going to Mass together?
Juancho: I think that’s a wonderful idea. Thank you so much!
Prayer

Mother Mary,
Please teach us to trust in your Son, to begin by recognising our own littleness, and to persevere faithfully. Blessed and praised be God!

To Be or To Do?. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14

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Gospel of the Day

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14
Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.”
To Be or To Do?
During the three years of His public ministry, Jesus constantly showed us how to live according to God’s will, fulfilling the Law in its fullness. He did not want us merely to do the right things, because everything ultimately depends on what is in the deepest part of our hearts. In today’s Gospel, we see a clear contrast between the Pharisees, who focus on doing, and Jesus, who calls us to being.
How can we, as married couples, teach our children and those around us what love truly is if, in our daily lives, they do not see us genuinely loving one another? We may tell our children not to argue, shout, be selfish, or make fun of one another’s weaknesses. But we must first ask ourselves: What example are we setting as husband and wife? Do we respect one another? Are we generous and helpful? Or do we sometimes make our spouse feel unappreciated, criticise them, lose patience, or focus more on their faults than on their virtues?
We should make a sincere examination of conscience. Are we striving each day to allow our hearts to be transformed by the Gospel, the sacraments, and prayer? Or are we acting like the blind leading the blind—whether our children, relatives, or friends?
How important it is first to be, so that we may then truly do.
The Gospel for today on the Vatican liturgical calendar is Matthew 14:22–36, while the reflection above is based on Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14, as provided in your text.

Applied to Married Life
(Jaime and Lucy are driving home after dinner with friends…)
Lucy: Jaime, I really enjoyed this evening, but I’d like to ask you something. When we’re with our friends, could you be a little gentler with me? Sometimes you’re quite harsh in the way you speak, and some of your jokes make me feel uncomfortable.
Jaime: Oh, darling! Come on, don’t be like that. You know that when I’ve had a couple of drinks, I can become a bit silly.
Lucy: That’s exactly my point. If we’re hoping our friends will draw closer to Jesus—they’ve drifted away a little—it won’t matter what we say if they don’t first see a real change in us: in the way we speak to one another, the way we look at each other, and in the little gestures that show how deeply you truly love me.
Jaime: You’re right, Lucy. I’m really sorry. Sometimes during evenings like this I get carried away by worldly things. My heart isn’t where it should be, and the old man comes out. What do you think about going to Adoration together tomorrow, so we can place our hearts back where they belong?
Lucy: I love that idea! I love you, Jaime!
Prayer

Mother Mary,
Help us always to live as you did, with integrity and consistency, faithfully doing God’s will in every moment of our lives.
Blessed be the Lord!

Fears. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 14:1-12

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Gospel

‘Herod sent and had John beheaded, and his disciples went and told Jesus.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 14:1–12

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord

Fears

In this Gospel, two different attitudes that we can take towards life’s situations are set in contrast. We can act in freedom, defending the truth and fearlessly proclaiming God’s law before the world—not to condemn people, but to call them to conversion, as John the Baptist did. Or we can act as slaves to human fears, to our passions, to what others may think, like King Herod, who imprisoned John because he exposed his sin, and eventually had him killed, trapped by his own empty words, spoken merely to please his guests and avoid breaking the promise he had made in public.
Husbands and wives, these same two attitudes can also be lived out within marriage. When my spouse points out my sin and tells me that something is not right, I have two choices: I can acknowledge my weakness and, with God’s help, seek to change; or I can react like Herod, turning against my spouse and imprisoning them in my heart because I refuse to accept their correction, because I do not want to recognise or renounce my sin. When we seek our own comfort, our pride or the approval of others, we drift further and further away from truth and love. There may even come a point when our fears grow so great that they bring death to our sacrament, committing a sacrilege by trampling upon the very God who unites us and dwells between us. When, however, we allow Christ to reign in our hearts, we become capable of loving our spouse with fidelity, even when that demands self-denial or sacrifice. Which path will I choose?

Applied to Married Life:

At Luke and Louise’s home:
Luke: Louise, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Louise: I’ve told you a thousand times to leave me alone. I’ll do what I want. There’s nothing wrong with going out with my lifelong friends. It’s my life, so stop interfering.
Luke: But darling, they don’t seem to be bringing anything good into your life, and I can see they’re driving us further apart…
Louise: Do you know what? I’ve had enough of all this lecturing! That’s it! I’m not your slave. Tomorrow I’m leaving, and you can get on without me!

At Paul and Philippa’s home:
Paul: Philippa, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Philippa: I don’t think we’re doing anything wrong, but why do you say that?
Paul: I don’t think they’re bringing anything good into your life. You always seem unsettled when you come home, and I feel it’s driving us further apart.
Philippa: To be honest, we do have a great time, but we almost always end up speaking badly about our husbands… You’re right, I can see that it’s not doing me any good. And if it’s also drawing me away from you… thank you for telling me and for opening my eyes, Paul. You come first for me. I don’t want anything to come between us.

Mother,
teach us to love one another truly with the love of God, as Christ loves each one of us and loves His Church, with a gentle and humble heart, so that the flame of love in our marriage may never be extinguished. Blessed and glorious are You, Mother! Praised be the Lord for ever!

Faith. Reflection for married couples: Matthew 13:54-58

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Gospel

‘Is not this the carpenter’s son? Where then did this man get all these things?’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:54–58

At that time: Coming to his home town Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his home town and in his own household.’ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

The Gospel of the Lord

Faith

With just a single glance, Jesus could transform even the hardest of hearts. Yet many of the people from His own town, those who were closest to Him, failed to recognise Him. Although they listened to Him and were amazed by what He said, they did not understand His words because they did not receive them with faith. How difficult it is to recognise Jesus’ saving message without faith! Indeed, it is impossible. The same can happen with our spouse. We may fail to recognise their role as God’s instrument precisely because they are so familiar to us. We know their weaknesses, their failings and even their sins, and so it can seem impossible that the Lord would use them to help us attain holiness. Yet this is precisely their unique role through the Sacrament of Matrimony. That is why we must ask the Lord to increase the faith He gave us on the day of our Baptism, so that we may recognise His redeeming hand in every event of our lives.

Applied to Married Life

Margaret: I find it incredible that your sister now wants to give us advice about marriage. They nearly got divorced! Twice! And now she comes across as though she’s a saint…
Thomas: I used to think the same, but have you noticed the way they look at each other? The tenderness with which they treat one another—that really is incredible! And my sister has always been a force to be reckoned with.
Margaret: Yes, I have to admit, the way they look at each other is remarkable…
Thomas: Ever since they went on that Marriage in Love Project retreat, they’ve changed so much.
Margaret: Marital Love Project? She sends me the Gospel reflection for married couples every day, but I’ve never even opened it.
Thomas: Well, what if we read it? They say it’s good to read it together, then listen to what the Lord wants to say to us and share it with one another. Why don’t we give it a try?
Margaret: I think that’s a wonderful idea. As soon as you said it, I felt such a deep joy in my heart. I’m going to get my phone right now!
Thomas: Blessed be God! Let’s place ourselves in His presence, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Mother
Help us to recognise in our spouse the means God has given us to journey together towards holiness. Be our model of humility and faith, so that we may receive all the grace the Lord desires to give us. Blessed be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, Your beloved Son! Blessed and praised be He for ever.

The Net of the Kingdom. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 13:47-53

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Gospel

‘They sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:47–53

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  ‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’
  And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there.

The Gospel of the Lord

The Net of the Kingdom.

We could say that the Church is the visible expression of the Kingdom of Heaven in our earthly lives, casting its net throughout the world to make God’s love known, regardless of who people are, what they do, where they come from or what they believe—offering it to everyone without any conditions. You and I, who were once gathered into that net, are now called to make known what the Lord has done in our lives, without stopping to wonder whether this person or that person deserves it. It is not for us to decide who is worthy or unworthy; in other words, we are not the ones to judge anyone. Rather, we are called to make God’s love known to everyone around us. Pope Leo reminds us in his encyclical that solidarity is the concrete recognition that each person’s destiny is bound up with the destiny of everyone else, that “no one is saved alone”. How much more, then, should you and I show solidarity with those who do not yet know God and make known what the Lord is doing in our lives, freely giving what we ourselves have freely received.
We must do the same within our marriage, continually casting the net so that our spouse is always close to us, revealing through them and in them the love of God that dwells within us, and together making that love visible to the world. At times, sin can build a wall between husband and wife, but through that net—the love of God alive within us—we are urged and strengthened to welcome our spouse in every circumstance, just as we promised on our wedding day: in times of joy and in times of sorrow, all the days of our lives. In this way, we make God’s love present within us and reveal it to the world, rejoicing in the knowledge that Christ makes Himself known through us.

Applied to Married Life

Amelia: Sometimes I wonder whether we’re really doing enough in response to everything we’ve received.
Paul: Amelia, I’m the opposite. Sometimes I feel as though we’re doing too much and leaving too little time for our own lives.
Amelia: Perhaps, but those things will always be there. What worries me is that we’re becoming too comfortable in our way of life. It’s a wonderful life, but we’ve received so much since discovering that our marriage is the greatest gift we have, and that we have so much to show the world through it.
Paul: I don’t understand why you’re worried. We never stop! We’re constantly coming and going—from this parish to that one—without ever complaining, always saying yes whenever we’re asked to help.
Amelia: Yes, I know, and we do it gladly. But I’m thinking of something deeper. We’ve received a wonderful sacrament in which Christ continually makes Himself present, yet sometimes I feel we don’t speak about it enough. It’s almost as though we’re waiting for someone to ask us before we share it.
Paul: I have to tell you that I think you’re worrying unnecessarily. God’s love is constantly made visible in you through me, and in me through you—every time we welcome one another, gently correct one another, or overlook those little faults that we don’t particularly like in each other. The Lord works within us through these small things, preparing us to make Him known to the world afterwards.
Amelia: Thank you, Paul. The Lord speaks through you and helps me to see what my own sin hides from me. You’re absolutely right.
Paul: And thank you. Through your patience and perseverance you’ve helped to transform my heart, and I’ve learned to see Christ in everything you do, even when I don’t always understand it.

Mother:
Help us to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the whole world through the presence of Your Son made visible in our marriage. Blessed and praised be God.