Author Archives: Esposos Misioneros

Feel as small as possible. Reflection for married couples: Matthew 13:31-35

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From the Gospel according to Matthew
13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
that a person took and sowed in a field.
It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.
It becomes a large bush,
and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

He spoke to them another parable.
“The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened.”

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He spoke to them only in parables,
to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

Feel as small as possible.

The Lord teaches Truth to His people through parables, because in that way they understand Him better. In this Gospel, we have two parables. In the first, the Lord shows us what He can do with our almost nothing—when we feel small, insignificant like a mustard seed—if we allow ourselves to be watered and nourished by Him. Through the sacraments, prayer, and mutual self-giving in our marriage, the Lord can turn it into a strong tree, where everything in our life is lived with Him, through Him, and in Him, because His sap runs through our trunk. And in this way, our branches and fruits will reflect the image of the Lord. Even other couples and families will come close to us, because the Lord will use us to welcome them, just as birds nest in the branches. The Lord makes things greater the smaller and more humble the seed is.

In the second parable—the one about the yeast—it is because yeast is discreet, it is not seen, but it transforms. Like small acts of love, service, forgiveness, and self-denial that begin to leaven our home. They transform it and turn it into the presence of Christ.

Brought down to married life:

Mariqui: Gonzalo, don’t eat your father’s dinner. I made it for him because he’ll come home hungry.

Nacho: Mariqui, I’m home. I’m really tired and not in the mood to eat. I’m going to the bedroom.

Mariqui: I was really looking forward to having dinner with you. It’s unbelievable… The more I try to please him, the more rejection I get from him…

(I won’t let myself be guided by my own feelings, because I’m sure he’s had a tough day at work. I’ll go to Nacho even though it’s hard for me.)

Nacho, I know you’ve had a rough day and you’re tired. I’m here with you in case you want to talk. I love you.

Nacho: You’re so beautiful. You don’t know how bad I was feeling, but your kind words have broken through. Thank you for coming to me. I’d love to have dinner with you—and pray the rosary with our kids too.

Gonzalo: Mom and Dad, there’s such peace in our home ever since we started praying as a family.

Mariqui: Blessed be God for the fruits the Lord gives us through the self-giving in our marriage.

Mother,

Thank you for teaching us that we must feel small and humble to give ourselves to our spouse out of love.

Praised be the Lord!

Intimacy with Him. Reflection for married couples. Luke 11:1–13

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Gospel of the Day
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 11:1–13
And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him:
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
And he said to them:
“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
And he said to them:
“Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come off his journey to me, and I have nothing to set before him; and he from within should answer and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.
For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
And which of you, if he ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? or a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask him?”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Intimacy with Him
The Lord desires deeper intimacy with us. This loving relationship with Him grows through prayer. He speaks to us in all things. He seeks us. And the relationship we have with Him — and with our spouse — is strengthened in prayer.
Because it is in prayer that we come to know Him, discover Him, contemplate Him… and love Him even more. And as our love grows, so too does our desire to unite ourselves more deeply with Him.
Through prayer, we are made capable of union — both with God and with our spouse.
For when I contemplate Him in prayer, and realise how deeply I am loved, I am then able to give that love to my spouse.
It is in prayer that He promises to give us the Holy Spirit, and it is the Spirit who makes our union possible.
Thank You, Lord, for revealing the power of prayer.
Applied to Married Life
Teresa: Have you noticed how much Jimena and Elías have changed lately?
Gustavo: Yes, they did one of those Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreats — just a weekend! — and came back glowing. And they haven’t stopped since!
Teresa: She told me their secret is persevering in prayer.
Gustavo: Persevering?! They’re the most inconsistent couple I know!
Teresa: Well, she said that when they pray, they experience a joy they get nowhere else — and they’re growing closer every day.
Gustavo: Wow. Who would have thought? Maybe we should try going on one of those retreats…
Teresa: I think it’s a great idea. If it helps us grow closer to each other and to God — count me in!
Mother,
Thank you for helping us to persevere in prayer, so we may grow closer to Him.
Blessed be the Lord forever!

Persevere with Joy. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 13:24–30

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 13:24–30
Another parable he proposed to them, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. And when the blade was sprung up and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle.
And the servants of the goodman of the house coming said to him: ‘Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it cockle?’
And he said to them: ‘An enemy hath done this.’
And the servants said to him: ‘Wilt thou that we go and gather it up?’
And he said: ‘No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it.
Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.’”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Persevere with Joy
We can’t afford to “fall asleep” thinking that everything is already going well — that our conversion is done, that we go to Mass, pray regularly, haven’t argued in a while… If this is where we’re at, then thanks be to God!
But what a mistake it would be to think the battle is over.
The Evil One never sleeps. He’s tireless. He lies in wait for us to lower our guard so he can sow weeds in the middle of our wheat.
Knowing this, what should we do when we discover weeds growing in our hearts?
Above all — never lose hope. Persevere in the essential path of purification.
Persevere in prayer and in the sacraments. And always give thanks to God — because even when we fall, He loves us. He makes us strong when we acknowledge our weakness.
Applied to Married Life
(Before beginning the path of purification, Pepe was an impatient person, which sometimes led him to act without charity toward his wife. Afterwards, he often felt bitter and sad for having fallen again, because he knew it wasn’t right.
Today, Pepe is praying…)
Pepe: Forgive me, Lord. I thought I had already overcome this impatience. It had been a long time since I last gave in.
But here I am — I’ve fallen again. And I made Maite feel bad.
But you know what, Lord? Something has changed in me.
Today I’m joyful, because in this fall, I’ve experienced my smallness.
I asked her forgiveness quickly, and I felt Your loving gaze encouraging me to keep going.
I want to be a saint, Lord. But I know I can’t do it alone.
What scares me now isn’t falling — it’s losing love.
Mother,
Today we celebrate the memorial of your parents, Saints Joachim and Anne — a holy marriage.
We ask you, Mary, to intercede for all the couples who read these Gospel reflections. May we always persevere and remember that Love is stronger than death, and that Jesus is always faithful.
Blessed be Jesus. Blessed be You, who do not break the bruised reed, nor extinguish the smouldering wick.

Will the Excuses Be Enough? Reflection for married couples. Matthew 20:20–28

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 20:20–28
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping and asking something of him.
Who said to her:
“What wilt thou?”
She saith to him:
“Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.”
And Jesus answering, said:
“You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink?”
They say to him:
“We can.”
He saith to them:
“My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.”
And the ten hearing it were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
But Jesus called them to him and said:
“You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister. And he that will be first among you shall be your servant.
Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

Will the Excuses Be Enough?

As St John of the Cross said: “At the evening of life, we will be judged on love.”
Will our “buts” and excuses really hold up? “But my husband was…”, “But my wife…” — will they matter?
What is the commandment that sums them all up?
“Hear, O Israel!”
But do we really listen to the Lord?
Like the mother of the sons of Zebedee, we ask for “reasonable” things by human standards:
“Lord, I ask that my husband would change this, because it’s not fair…”
“I ask that my son would be this or that…”
But the Lord answers: Do you know what you’re asking?
Do you truly want to be great in My eyes? Then, like the Son of Man, go and serve. Give your life.
So, let’s stop making excuses. Let’s stop pointing at what others fail to do and instead focus only on serving, giving our lives, and loving — even when it’s hard.
And who will tell my spouse what they need to change? Leave that in the Lord’s hands.
You? You focus on doing God’s will, on giving yourself, on loving.
And then — just watch what the Lord will do through the grace of your marriage.

Applied to Married Life

Mar: I can’t take it anymore. Another fight with Ángel. He just doesn’t help at all. I have to do everything myself. It’s not fair. I’ve told him a thousand times. And I keep asking the Lord to change him, at least for the sake of setting a good example for the kids.
Mentors: Mar, have you taken this to prayer? What does the Lord say?
Mar: Of course I’ve prayed about it! I tell the Lord all the time how Ángel behaves, how he doesn’t help…
Mentors: The Lord already knows how you feel. But — do you read His Word and then listen to Him? In silence, with loving attention?
Mar: Hmm… I think I talk too much and don’t listen enough…
(One month later)
Mar: Dear mentors, thank you so much for what you told me. Since we spoke, I’ve been trying to really listen to the Lord, reading His Word and actually listening… and I’ve realised that I never stop judging Ángel, always focusing on what he does wrong. I’d forgotten to see his heart, how wonderful he is, and all the good in him. I was so fixated on the bad that I lost sight of the good.
And I’ve taken literally what Jesus said about serving and giving one’s life — so I’ve stopped demanding things from him. It’s hard, but I really feel God’s help.
Mentors: What joy, Mar!
Mar: And guess what? Last night during our couple prayer, Ángel said he’s noticed my effort, that before he felt awful about all the things I used to say to him, but now he sees me more affectionate, he sees how much I love him, and he’s trying to do better — not to upset me and to help me more.
Mentors: How great is the Lord! How deeply He loves us!
And don’t let your guard down — the struggle continues, but this is the way.
Listen to the Lord, give your life, and love more each day.

Mother,

A thousand thanks for everything — especially for your Son, who shows us the way.
Help us to listen to Him, to deny ourselves, to embrace the cross of each day and to follow Him.
Praised be the Lord!

Logic of the World or of God? Reflection for married couples. Matthew 13:10–17

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Gospel of the Day
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 13:10–17
And his disciples came and said to him:
“Why speakest thou to them in parables?”
He answered and said to them:
“Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away that also which he hath.
Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who saith: ‘By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. For, amen I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them: and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Logic of the World or of God?
What happens when we don’t understand our spouse?
We end up just like in the Gospel: “seeing, they do not see, and hearing, they do not hear or understand.”
We know the logic of the world often contradicts the logic of God. But we are children of God, and so we are called to use His logic — to listen, to speak, and to truly understand our spouse.
The Lord grants to His friends the grace to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. But this requires a desire to be close to Him, to know Him, to deepen our relationship with Him.
The same is true in our marriage. Our spouse desires to be truly known — and that calls us to will to love, to desire to know, and to deepen our bond (especially through praying together).
When we begin to see the world through God’s eyes, we receive that supernatural vision in which our virtues help us to “know the secrets of the Kingdom” — and to know our spouse more deeply and lovingly too.
Applied to Married Life
Judit: Lately, every time I tell you something, it’s like I’m speaking Chinese…
Bernat: Darling, I’m sorry — I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me or what I’m supposed to read between the lines. It’s not that you’re speaking Chinese, but deciphering you has become difficult…
Judit: It’s true that lately we’ve been really stressed with work, the kids’ summer camps, house-hunting… We’re both exhausted by the end of the day and we haven’t been praying together at night.
Bernat: Since our schedule has shifted these days, how about we do our couple prayer in the morning instead of evening? If not, we know it’s not going to happen. What if we woke up 30 minutes earlier to do it?
Judit: You really do have the gift of organisation! It’ll be tough at first, but it’s totally worth it. Otherwise, we both know how this summer will go… Every summer ends up being a spiritual winter, and that can’t keep happening. Actually — what if we try going to weekday Mass together too?
Bernat: I start later on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we could go together at 8am to start the day with the Lord.
Judit: I love you so much! Thank you for taking care of us and protecting our marriage by strengthening our relationship with the Lord.
Bernat: I love you more!
Mother,
We ask you to help us un-harden our hearts — so we may see, hear, and understand… as you do.
Glory to the Lord who enables us to learn from His logic.