Author Archives: Esposos Misioneros

An Alert Heart. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 25:1-13

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GOSPEL

‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
Matthew 25:1-13

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.’

The Gospel of the Lord

An Alert Heart
One thing is certain: we do not know the day or the hour.
This simple truth should keep us constantly aware that our hearts must be ready for the coming of the Bridegroom—with a capital “B”. That readiness begins now—today, this very moment—through the purification and conversion of the heart. This purification involves our effort in the small acts of daily life—acts of self-giving and welcome—and turning to the grace of God through prayer and the sacraments, since it is He who transforms us.
Husbands and wives, let us return to the grace of our Sacrament of Marriage, through acts of love and mutual offering, to prepare ourselves for the coming of the true Bridegroom.

Applied to Married Life

Claire: Hi Liam, I’m home!
Liam: Hey Claire, welcome back.
Claire: I was thinking on the drive—maybe we could spend a few days at the seaside with the kids. It’s been ages since the four of us had some proper time together. (Liam pauses, frowning slightly.)
Liam: The beach? You know I can’t stand the heat… Honestly, why don’t you take the kids and go without me? It’s only a few days—we’ll see each other again soon enough. (A few hours later, after Mass)
Liam: Claire… I’m sorry for brushing off your idea earlier. The truth is, I really don’t fancy the beach. But you’re right—it would be good for us to have that time together. And I know it would mean a lot to you.
Claire: Oh Liam, thank you! I know this is a big effort for you—and I really appreciate it. It’s such a generous act of love for me and for our family. Maybe we could mix things up—some beach, some pool, so it’s not quite so hot? You know what? I’ve been noticing lately—since we’ve been going to Mass together more often—the Lord really is doing something beautiful in our hearts.
Liam: He truly is… I’ve felt it too.

Mother,

Take us by the hand and teach us how to prepare our hearts for the day when the Bridegroom comes. Praised be the Lord!

The Three Conditions. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 16:24-28

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GOSPEL

‘What shall a man give in return for his soul?’

Matthew 16:24-28

At that time: Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.’ Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

The Gospel of the Lord

 

The Three Conditions
Jesus speaks to us today about three essential conditions for being His disciples: denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. To deny ourselves means to fight against our disordered desires—the ones that prevent the Holy Spirit from acting in us. To take up our cross means being willing to carry the weight of another’s sin. And to follow Him means working for and towards the salvation of others. We contemplate a God who became flesh—who willingly limited Himself. He lived over thirty years in a finite body, one that suffered as a result of sin, that grew tired… and He did it all for you and for me. How deeply He loves us!
To participate in His mission as a disciple is the greatest privilege we could ever be given.
Applied to Married Life

Richard: Here we are, enjoying summer—but still kind of stressed… Beach bar, cold beer… The kids splashing around like they’re not even ours. Can you imagine living like this forever, Sophie?
Sophie: Richard, think about it seriously. A few days like this to rest and recharge—perfect. But a whole life centred only on comfort? We’d end up completely selfish. Our lives would lose meaning. We wouldn’t grow, and we wouldn’t build anything lasting.
Richard: You’re right. I didn’t mean it, really. I thank God for this break, but I’m also grateful for our everyday life—with all its messiness. That’s where we grow the most: in generosity, humility, service, compassion… It’s within our own limitations—and each other’s—that God purifies us and helps us mature as we work for Him in our family.
Sophie: Praise the Lord, who invites us to share in His Cross.
Richard: Praise be to Him. By the way, Sophie, have I told you how much I love you today?
Sophie: Nooo… It’s been a while!
Richard: I love you to bits.
Sophie: Oh, you big softy. Come here and give me a kiss.
Mother,

I thank God that He has called me to be His disciple. His mission is so great—so incredible—that He would want to share it with us. To help Him save others, starting with my spouse… There is nothing more valuable. Nothing more fulfilling. Praised be the Lord, who counts on me. Amen.

Whose Voice Am I Listening To? Reflection for married couples. Matthew 16:13-23

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GOSPEL

‘You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’
Matthew 16:13-23

At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
  From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Whose Voice Am I Listening To?
Lord, today, through Peter, You open our eyes to recognise that we are never alone—we are in the midst of a battle. We either listen to You—the Father, the Son, the Spirit—or we listen to Satan. We listen to the Father, like Peter, when we lift our gaze to Heaven, when we choose to think in terms of love and self-giving. When we act as children of God, filled with His love, offering our lives through that love. That is what Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, did. But we listen to Satan when we insist on our own point of view—“so reasonable,” so human. When we reject self-gift, avoid suffering, or run away from the Cross. The Cross hurts, yes—but without the Cross, there is no redemption. The Cross, embraced with Christ, with love and in Love, leads to glory.
Every day, in every moment, we have a choice: follow Satan by clinging to our own judgement, thinking in worldly terms, rejecting the Cross… or follow Christ by denying ourselves, taking up our daily cross (even the small, annoying ones), and offering ourselves in love, with Him and in Him.
As St Teresa of Ávila said, “In the Cross is life and consolation; it alone is the road to Heaven.”
When we embrace our daily cross, we are embracing Christ crucified, consoling Him.
Will we miss the daily opportunities we’re given to love Him more?

Applied to Married Life

George: Claire, I’m exhausted. I really can’t take much more. You snap at the tiniest thing—it’s too much.
Claire: The tiniest thing? You’ve done it again! You ignore me completely, you don’t consider me at all!
George: You’re overreacting. Don’t you see I need my space?
Claire: Your space? I’m your wife! (Storms out and slams the door.)
(Twenty minutes later, she returns.)
Claire: George… please, shall we pray together? It hurts so much when we argue.
(They begin to pray. After a few quiet moments in the presence of God…)
Claire: Lord, forgive me for the way I spoke to George. He’s my husband, the greatest gift You’ve given me. He’s the person You’ve placed by my side so I can learn to love—and I do love him, madly. I long so deeply for a marriage that reflects Your will. But I know I won’t get there by shouting or acting this way. Help me not to focus on his faults, but only on his beautiful heart and his deep desire to love me more each day.
George: Lord, thank You so much for Claire. She brings light where I have none. You know how much I love her, but sometimes I act without thinking, focused on myself. I don’t mean to hurt her, but it’s still wrong. Please help me not to get stuck on her temper. Help me to do things for her, putting her first. Teach me to forget myself. That’s what You did, Lord. That’s the path to joy—the path of self-gift, the path of love. The path to Heaven. Claire, I’m sorry. I love you so much.
Claire: Jesus, thank You for this wonderful man You’ve given me. George, thank you… you’re amazing. Come here and give me the biggest hug!

Mother,

Thank you for everything. Please help us to deny ourselves, to embrace the daily Cross alongside you, and so follow your Son—consoling Him and loving Him. Praised be the Lord!

Witnesses to His Glory. Reflection for married couples. Luke 9:28b-36

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GOSPEL
‘As Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face was altered.’

Luke 9:28b-36

At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’ — not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

The Gospel of the Lord

Witnesses to His Glory
In today’s Gospel, we once again see how the Lord withdraws from the world to pray—He physically goes up the mountain in search of the Father. It’s so meaningful to witness that need for total communion with the Father. That should be the rhythm of our own lives too. Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord. But what does that really mean? According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the divine glory of Christ briefly shone through His human body. Can we even begin to grasp what that must have looked like?
Jesus chose to take three of His disciples with Him—those whose hearts were open and ready to see and understand what was about to unfold. He wanted to illuminate their hearts so that, like a foretaste of the resurrection, they would always know where to turn when darkness came: to the Light.
To grow in our marriage, we too need prayer. We must go in search of the Father, aligning our hearts little by little with the Heart of the Lord. That’s how we begin to understand what we’re truly called to. Only then can we help our spouse on the path to holiness—a goal far beyond our own efforts, but by God’s grace, one we can reach together.

Applied to Married Life

Samuel: Sophie, I love watching you serve other couples when they’re going through tough times.
Sophie: What do you mean?
Samuel: I mean when we help out on a Marriage Mission retreat or spend time with couples in need. In those moments, the Lord gives me a special grace—I see you through His eyes. You shine. I see the woman you were created to be. And it draws me even closer to you.
Sophie: I know exactly what you mean, darling. I feel the same when I watch you speak about God to husbands who don’t yet know Him. You know what? Every day during prayer, I ask the Lord to help me see you that way—always, in every moment we spend together.
Samuel: Could you have imagined, on our wedding day, that we’d ever see each other like this?
Sophie: Honestly? No. But now, after seeing how the Lord has transformed our hearts, I’m convinced His love truly has no limits. And that’s how my love for you must be—without limits.

Mother,

Help us allow the Lord to shape us, just as you always do. That we might see each other through His eyes. Praised be the Lord, who allows us to witness His glory.

Today He says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid!”. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 14:22-36

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GOSPEL

‘Command me to come to you on the water.’

Matthew 14:22-36

After the crowd had eaten and were satisfied: Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
  And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognised him, they sent word around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

The Gospel of the Lord

 

Today He says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid!”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear: live in peace. And if I find myself disturbed, it’s the right moment to ask: Am I living this with faith, trusting that if He wills it, I too can walk on stormy waters? Or am I fixating on the wind, sinking under the weight of my own thoughts, my doubts, my reasoning? Peter walked on water only when he trusted in Jesus. If we don’t feed on Christ, we can do nothing.
Today, with these words, Jesus Himself invites us to trust Him—even when it feels like He’s asking us to “walk on water.” If He’s asking, it’s because, with faith in Him, we will be upheld. He will never abandon us. We must remain certain that He is behind all that is good, and even behind what might not appear good to us. Let us accept this invitation from Jesus—and stop looking at ourselves, our own criteria, our reasons, our pride. Let us renew our purity of intention with a simple cry: “Lord, save me. Without You, I am lost.”
Applied to Married Life

James: I spoke with one of the couples we accompany today. He told me he’s had enough—after everything his wife has done, he wants to separate. He just kept saying, “This isn’t going to change. It’ll never change.”
Margaret: Poor thing. I understand him. He’s been fighting for so long—it’s only human to feel hopeless. But what man cannot do, God can. Where we fall short, the grace of God can reach. Look at us, James: today we celebrate 20 years of marriage, and we’ve also gone through moments of doubt—doubt about each other, about our future. Before we started living our faith deeply within our marriage, I was so easily tempted by the enemy. It was always easier to spot the speck in your eye than to acknowledge the plank in my own heart. But now, when I’m in turmoil—when the “winds” blow with suspicion or fear—I simply say to the Lord: “Save me from my misery. Help me to trust in Your plan for my marriage.” And I assure you, since we began the Marriage Mission journey, our marriage has completely changed.
James: You’re right, Margaret. What you’ve said brings so much light. That husband you mentioned is spiritually starved—he hasn’t been feeding on the Lord or surrendering to Him. He’s too focused on his own feelings and fears—seeing only the wind. I need to tell him to deepen his prayer life, so he can begin to see his wife through the eyes God sees her with. Thank you, love, for always bringing me back to what matters.
Margaret: And thank God for our wedding anniversary today—and for the light He has brought into our lives in these recent years.

Mother,

Teach me, like you, to fix my gaze only on God, so that I too may walk upon any stormy sea.  Praised be the Lord!