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The Magdalene Guide. Reflection for married couples. John 20:1–2, 11–18

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:1–2, 11–18
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, to the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
She ran, therefore, and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them:
“They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping. And as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre.
And she saw two angels in white, sitting one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.
They said to her:
“Woman, why weepest thou?”
She said to them:
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”
When she had said this, she turned back and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her:
“Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
She, thinking he was the gardener, said to him:
“Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her:
“Mary.”
She turned and said to him:
“Rabboni!” (which is to say, “Master”).
Jesus said to her:
“Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.”
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples:
“I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
“The Magdalene Guide”
The 5 steps of the “Magdalene Guide” to see Christ in my spouse:
1. Rise early. Take the first step. Go out to meet him, putting him first — even when things aren’t clear or easy.
2. Don’t live with indifference. Dare to look at the pain your spouse causes you. Let that pain expand and purify your heart.
3. Persevere. Even when you can’t recognise Jesus in your spouse, especially in the midst of chores and daily pressures.
4. Don’t get dragged down by routine. Call him by name again — not based on what you want him to be, but on who he really is.
5. Don’t try to hold him back. Love him freely, without trying to possess him — loving him as God loves him.
Lord, You live in my spouse! Blessed and praised be You.
Applied to Married Life
(A conversation between Rocío and her spiritual director about her marriage to Armando)
Rocío: Father, lately I feel so alone in my marriage… as if something has died between Armando and me. We don’t argue, but we don’t really connect either. And it hurts.
Director: What do you do with that pain, Rocío?
Rocío: At first I became indifferent. But lately, during prayer, I’ve found myself silently crying. Not out of anger… but sadness. Like standing at a tomb… like Mary Magdalene.
Director: How beautiful that you see yourself there. Mary didn’t run from the empty tomb. She stayed. She wept. Sometimes, true love doesn’t act — it simply stays and weeps faithfully. And that is already hope.
Rocío: But I feel weak, like crying for him doesn’t do anything…
Director: But isn’t that how God loves us? Didn’t Jesus weep over Jerusalem, over our rejection? Tears of love are not wasted — they are seeds of resurrection. Mary wept, and the Risen One appeared to her. Because faithful tears cleanse the eyes of the soul.
Rocío: So I shouldn’t run from this pain?
Director: No. Stay, like Mary. Don’t run. Don’t accuse. Cry with God — not alone. And tell Jesus: “Here I am… not understanding, not seeing… but I won’t leave.” That kind of faithfulness is faith. And one day, like Mary, He will say your name: “Rocío”… and you’ll recognise Him again — even in your husband. And He’ll begin to show you what to do, and especially how to receive every situation with Armando.
Rocío: (emotionally) Thank you, Father… I really needed someone to remind me that to love also means to stay and to weep… but with hope — not for myself, but for Him.
Mother,
Teach me to remain in those situations I don’t understand, so I may see your Son.
Praise be to the Risen Lord!

The Magdalene Guide. Reflection for married couples. John 20:1–2, 11–18

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:1–2, 11–18
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, to the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
She ran, therefore, and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them:
“They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping. And as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre.
And she saw two angels in white, sitting one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.
They said to her:
“Woman, why weepest thou?”
She said to them:
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”
When she had said this, she turned back and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her:
“Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
She, thinking he was the gardener, said to him:
“Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her:
“Mary.”
She turned and said to him:
“Rabboni!” (which is to say, “Master”).
Jesus said to her:
“Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.”
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples:
“I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

“The Magdalene Guide”
The 5 steps of the “Magdalene Guide” to see Christ in my spouse:
1. Rise early. Take the first step. Go out to meet him, putting him first — even when things aren’t clear or easy.
2. Don’t live with indifference. Dare to look at the pain your spouse causes you. Let that pain expand and purify your heart.
3. Persevere. Even when you can’t recognise Jesus in your spouse, especially in the midst of chores and daily pressures.
4. Don’t get dragged down by routine. Call him by name again — not based on what you want him to be, but on who he really is.
5. Don’t try to hold him back. Love him freely, without trying to possess him — loving him as God loves him.
Lord, You live in my spouse! Blessed and praised be You.
Applied to Married Life
(A conversation between Rocío and her spiritual director about her marriage to Armando)
Rocío: Father, lately I feel so alone in my marriage… as if something has died between Armando and me. We don’t argue, but we don’t really connect either. And it hurts.
Director: What do you do with that pain, Rocío?
Rocío: At first I became indifferent. But lately, during prayer, I’ve found myself silently crying. Not out of anger… but sadness. Like standing at a tomb… like Mary Magdalene.
Director: How beautiful that you see yourself there. Mary didn’t run from the empty tomb. She stayed. She wept. Sometimes, true love doesn’t act — it simply stays and weeps faithfully. And that is already hope.
Rocío: But I feel weak, like crying for him doesn’t do anything…
Director: But isn’t that how God loves us? Didn’t Jesus weep over Jerusalem, over our rejection? Tears of love are not wasted — they are seeds of resurrection. Mary wept, and the Risen One appeared to her. Because faithful tears cleanse the eyes of the soul.
Rocío: So I shouldn’t run from this pain?
Director: No. Stay, like Mary. Don’t run. Don’t accuse. Cry with God — not alone. And tell Jesus: “Here I am… not understanding, not seeing… but I won’t leave.” That kind of faithfulness is faith. And one day, like Mary, He will say your name: “Rocío”… and you’ll recognise Him again — even in your husband. And He’ll begin to show you what to do, and especially how to receive every situation with Armando.
Rocío: (emotionally) Thank you, Father… I really needed someone to remind me that to love also means to stay and to weep… but with hope — not for myself, but for Him.
Mother,
Teach me to remain in those situations I don’t understand, so I may see your Son.
Praise be to the Risen Lord!

We Want to See a Sign. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 12:38–42

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 12:38–42
At that time, some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Jesus, saying,
“Master, we would see a sign from thee.”
But he answered and said to them:
“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
For as Jonas was in the whale’s belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here.
The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold a greater than Solomon here.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
We Want to See a Sign
Whoever asks for a sign, does so because they don’t believe.
And me? Do I truly believe that You are alive and present among us each day? Do I believe in the covenant of love You sealed with my spouse and me in our Sacrament?
Jesus, today You, who are the Truth, tell me that those who spared no effort or discomfort to listen to the wisdom of one chosen by God — and those who converted with the preaching of a prophet — will rise in judgment against this generation and condemn it.
Why? Because here, now, there is Someone greater — greater than anyone, greater than everything. (Last Friday’s Gospel also reminded us: “Here is one greater than the temple.”)
You are here. You remained here — with us and among us.
You, who gave wisdom to Solomon.
You, who spoke through Jonah.
You are truly alive and present in every tabernacle, and in the midst of us when two or more gather in Your name.
And yet, having You so close… we often fail to see You.
We don’t realise how incredibly blessed we are.
What more sign do I need?
My Lord and my God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You.
And I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.
Applied to Married Life
Luis: Carmen, listen — since you’re tired, how about this: I’ll clean up the kitchen, and in the meantime you can freshen up a bit and then we head over to the perpetual adoration chapel?
Carmen: Oh Luis… not tonight. I was dreaming of just sinking into the sofa and watching an episode of my favourite series to unwind.
Luis: But what will that really give you? What better rest is there than being with Our Lord? We are so blessed to have that chapel nearby, where Jesus is waiting for us — His Heart beating for us.
He welcomes us with open arms, and we give Him such joy just by being there. And we find rest in Him.
We can each make our personal prayer in silence there… and then, once back home, we can do our conjugal prayer together.
What could possibly be better?
Carmen: You’re right. Nothing could be better than spending time with the Lord, who redeemed us and chose to remain with us forever.
We can’t leave Him alone.
Let’s go and give thanks for everything He’s given us today. And it’s true — every time we go, I come back more renewed and rested than with anything else.
Thank you for helping me overcome my laziness.
Luis: Thank you, for bringing me closer to the Lord.
Now I enjoy going and praying with you. What a joy to be able to go together and spend time with the Lord!
Mother,
We thank you for giving us Your Son.
Teach us to rest in Him and to trust in Him, just as You trusted and rested always in God.
Blessed are you, Mother! Praised be Our Lord forever!

Listening to You. Reflection for married couples: Luke 10:38-42

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GOSPEL

‘Martha welcomed him. Mary has chosen the good portion.’
Luke 10:38-42

At that time: Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Listening to You

When we encounter the Lord, how easy it is to sit at His feet like Mary, listening to His Word!
Spending hours before the Tabernacle or in Adoration, praying the Rosary… it’s beautiful — but all of this must lead us to action.
To take His Word to struggling marriages and to the many families suffering because they do not yet know the Truth and Beauty of marriage as God intended it.
And yet, in that second conversion — the call to mission — we can so easily fall into activism.
To become like Martha, and forget how to be like Mary… and that can take us away from what truly matters.
What can we offer others if our own hearts are not filled with the Lord?
Let us be bearers of His Light and His Salt — because without Him, we are nothing.

Grounded in Married Life

(Abigail and James during their couple prayer)
Abigail: James, the Lord’s been showing me how much we need to spend more time together before the Tabernacle. To pause each day, and be nourished by His Word and His Love. This past month I’ve felt so scattered and restless.
James: The Lord is amazing — He’s been saying the same to me. We’ve been doing a lot to support other couples, and I love how our small “yes” is helping many marriages. But it’s true — it feels like the days just slip away. The tasks pile up, and it’s hard to see what should really come first…
Abigail: These words from St Teresa of Calcutta came strongly to my heart: when her sisters told her they didn’t have enough time to care for all the sick and dying, what did she say? That they needed to spend one more hour each day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
James: That’s brilliant! I love that. Right — let’s start tomorrow. After Mass, we’ll stay a little longer before the Tabernacle, just the two of us, in prayer. I’m sure our time will stretch more than we think. If we truly needed longer days, I’m sure the Lord would have made them longer than 24 hours!
Abigail: [laughs] Absolutely agreed!

Mother,

Help us to remain faithful in prayer —to treasure in our hearts all the Lord shows us, as you did. Blessed and praised be the Lord forever!

Silence. Reflection for married couples: Matthew 12:14-21

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GOSPEL 

‘He ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet.’
Matthew 12:14-21

At that time: The Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Silence

Today the world demands a great deal from each of us if it is to remain a better place — and at times it feels as though everything is against us, even within our own marriage.
Man was created out of love and called to govern the world through love. But too often, we try to do so by imposing love, asserting our opinions (even good ones), forgetting that the best way to love others begins with loving ourselves rightly.
How essential it is to treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated. We have Christ as our model — He who, despite doing good by giving Himself completely, was still hated and hunted.
And when He found out they were plotting against Him, He withdrew quietly. He didn’t need to be seen or praised — He simply carried on, in silence, doing good. And that silent witness attracted many more to Him.
How often this happens in marriage — when one of us wants to be right, no matter the cost, to come out on top in every disagreement.
But our response must be silence — not out of resignation, but out of love.
There is a deep and often forgotten strength in silence. It calms the heart and allows us to pass on God’s love — even to those who criticise, belittle, or misunderstand us.

Grounded in Married Life

Gabriel: I’m so tired of hearing what people are saying — about what we’ve done or haven’t done. No matter how hard you try, all you get back is criticism and resistance.
Beatrice: What matters, Gabriel, is that we’re doing it with good intention, out of love for others.
Gabriel: I know… but sometimes I just want to snap back and set the record straight.
Beatrice: That won’t help anyone. We need to keep giving ourselves unconditionally — with all the love we can.
We’ll make mistakes, of course — we’re not perfect — but our answer must always be silence. In the good and the bad.
Gabriel: You’re right, Beatrice. It’s just as important to receive praise in silence as it is to receive criticism.
Beatrice: Exactly. We take the criticism as an invitation to grow — and the praise as a chance to glorify God through our work.

Mother,

How much we have to learn from your quiet strength and simplicity — you who pondered everything silently in your heart. May we dwell in the cloister of your Immaculate Heart, offering every word, every silence, to the glory of your Son. Blessed be God.