Author Archives: Esposos Misioneros

The “Master Pass”. Reflection for marriages. Saint John 3:1–8

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John 3:1–8
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can perform the signs you do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered him:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus asked Him:
“How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
Jesus answered:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The “Master Pass”
Jesus teaches us that two things are necessary: to be born of water and of the Spirit.
It is not enough to have received the sacrament of Baptism if afterwards I do not allow myself to be born of the Holy Spirit. If I continue to live according to the flesh—my passions, disordered desires, preferences—then I am not truly living in the Spirit.
It is not enough to pray and attend the Eucharist.
How do we truly be born of the Spirit?
By allowing the Spirit to transform us through the events of everyday life, both the small and the great.
The Spirit must govern my life, my marriage, my fatherhood or motherhood, my work, my relationships, my leisure. Christ is present through the Holy Spirit and acts in my life and the lives of those around me—but only if I allow Him to act, without blocking Him with my own plans, decisions, or whims.
This demands total surrender—everything, forever.
Always ready to change, to convert anew, with no place to lay my head, open to the unpredictable movement of the Spirit.
It may seem drastic, but God is great and generous. In His hands, we have nothing to fear.

Applying It to Married Life
Carlos: Love, there are situations that make me really anxious, and I tend to get angry—like when I have a plan and it falls apart. I really struggle with the unexpected. Could you help me work on this?
Lourdes: Let me shed a little light. Imagine that you are the Holy Spirit, and you want to redirect someone onto a better path than the one they’re on. Wouldn’t you introduce a change of plans into their life to steer them in the right direction? Or, imagine you know they are about to face something very hard, and you love them infinitely. Wouldn’t you open new roads for them from that painful situation—better roads than before?
Carlos: I suppose I would, yes.
Lourdes: Then from now on, every time you face an unexpected change, think of it as a “master pass” from the Holy Spirit—He’s passing you the ball to follow His play. He’s on your team, playing for your good, for the good of our marriage and our family. Read the play, and use the opportunity for good. Remember: the unexpected is a master pass from God!
Carlos: That’s brilliant! Now I understand. A “master pass” from God. Thank you! I’ll try to remember that next time.

Mother,
Help me to renounce my own self, to be born anew from the will of my spouse, so that the Holy Spirit may remove from me anything that separates me from love—love for God and love for him.
Thank you, because through my spouse, I can be born of the Spirit, for the Spirit dwells in our conjugal unity.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Christ is risen in our marriage! Alleluia!

You Are Blessed. Reflection for marriages. John 20:19-31

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From the Gospel according to John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,for fear of the Jews,Jesus came and stood in their midstand said to them, “Peace be with you.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,was not with them when Jesus came.So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”But he said to them,“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his handsand put my finger into the nailmarksand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again insideand Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciplesthat are not written in this book.But these are written that you may come to believethat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord

You Are Blessed

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast introduced by Saint John Paul II at the start of this third millennium. It’s God’s incredible response to humanity’s sin—an overwhelming gift that reaches everyone, whether they believe or not. It’s a powerful embrace of love, big enough to absorb all the brokenness and lack of love throughout all generations of humanity.
Isn’t that something truly worth celebrating?

Applied to married Life:

Peter: Of everything God teaches me, today He reminds me of what I admire most—His Divine Mercy.
Ana: It really is something extraordinary. What touches you the most about it?
Peter: Probably how hard it is for me to live it out. How can someone love so deeply? A love that forgives betrayal, heals wounds, and overcomes slander… Only God has that kind of strength.
Ana: And we can too, if we let Him live in us. I want to love you like that.
Peter: And I want to love you that way too. Shall we pray for it together? He’s here with us even if we can’t see Him. Do you believe that?
Ana: I do.
Peter: Then you are blessed.
Ana: And so are you.

Mother,

Praise be to the Lord for His Divine Mercy. Praise Him forever.

Should We Believe Just Anyone? Reflection for marriages Mark 16:9-15

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From the Gospel according to Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,out of whom he had driven seven demons.She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.When they heard that he was aliveand had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another formto two of them walking along on their way to the country.They returned and told the others;but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to themand rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heartbecause they had not believed thosewho saw him after he had been raised.He said to them, “Go into the whole worldand proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Should We Believe Just Anyone?

Jesus challenges the Apostles for doubting the women’s message. But how important is a testimony? Should we trust every account we hear? Not necessarily. True testimony is inspired by God and meant not only for the person receiving it, but to be shared with others. The women were sent to tell the Apostles that Christ had risen—something Jesus had already foretold, as the Scriptures say.

So, a genuine testimony must be in harmony with the Gospel truth. If it’s not, then it’s not a true witness. And such experiences should be validated by the Church, through the Bishop, who helps determine whether they come from the Holy Spirit.

Applied to Married Life:

Lourdes: I read in some private revelations that the end of times will come in 2030.Juanjo: And do you believe it?Lourdes: I tend to believe everything, but I think that until the Church speaks on the matter, I should be cautious.
Jhon: Wise decision.
Lourdes: Meanwhile, I’ll keep preparing my heart to love you better and not get distracted by other stories.
Jhon: You truly are a testimony to me.


Mother,

Today we reaffirm our creed. Praised be God, one and Triune.

The Secret to It All. Reflection for marriages John 21:1-14

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From the Gospel according to John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead

The Gospel of the Lord

The Secret to It All

When we, as spouses, stay attentive, listen to God, and follow His will, He does amazing things in our lives. As we fall deeper in love with Him, we start to notice His presence more clearly—and we’re moved to run to the Eucharist and thank Him. 
Sounds like a good path, right? Well, it all begins with truly listening to Him and choosing to do what He asks.

Applied to married Life *ñ

David: Mary sometimes it’s hard to admit when we’ve messed up, and that can create some distance between us—or at least difficults our union.  What if, in those moments, we asked each other, “Do you think this is God’s will?” 
Mary: I really like that idea, David. That way, we’re not criticizing or blaming each other—we’re just gently helping each other keep our focus on God and what He wants. 
David: Awesome. I really believe God will bless our marriage with abundant beautiful fruit if  we do that.


Mother,

We love the Lord and want to see Him in every moment and every person. Please help us, Mother—show us where He is. Thank you, blessed Mother. 

Those Who Witnessed Him Reflection for marriages Luke 24:35-48

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From the Gospel according to Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way,
and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have.”
And as he said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of baked fish;
he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them,
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Those Who Witnessed Him

This Gospel is crucial because it marks the moment when the eleven disciples become firsthand witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. After His death, He still has a human nature—His body is glorified, yet He can even eat. Their witness is the foundation of our faith. They had to see Him risen with their own eyes to truly affirm that what we believe is real.

This moment also gives clarity and purpose to everything in the Old Testament. The prophets were pointing toward this exact moment in the story of salvation.

This account anchors and supports all of Scripture. Because of it, our entire faith has meaning. Praise God for that!

Applied to married Life:

Martin: Why are you so confident in our marriage as a Sacrament?
Helen: Because Christ rose from the dead.
Martin: But what does that have to do with us?
Helen: It means we follow Him through everything—even suffering. If we carry our crosses with Him, we’ll also share in His resurrection. That’s not just wishful thinking—it really happened, and people actually saw Him.
Martin: Thank God He showed Himself to the Apostles so they could share that truth with us.

Mary,

Thank God for choosing to reveal Himself to the Apostles and making them witnesses to His resurrection—so they could pass on the truth that sustains our faith. Glory to Him forever.