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What I Believe I Have. Reflection for married couples. Luke 8, 16-18

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GOSPEL

Anyone who has will be given more
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Luke 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowds:
  ‘No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light. So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; from anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.’
The Gospel of the Lord.

What I Believe I Have

Why do some couples get along well even though they aren’t united by the Sacrament and aren’t Christians? Today, Jesus speaks to us about our response to the gift of His Grace. He makes it rain on the just and the unjust alike, but if He gives it to us, it is so we can illuminate the world as His witnesses.
I may have received much and, as a result, live a comfortable life based on these blessings. However, at the end of my days, the grace I was given will be taken from me, along with the gifts I believed I possessed. I thought I was good and helpful, but those gifts didn’t belong to me; they were meant to be managed in the name of the Lord. If I embrace grace and become a light for the world in His name, showing others what God has done for me without any merit of my own, I will receive fullness—pressed down, shaken together, and running over…
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of the Sacrament of my Marriage.

Applied to Married Life:

James: I see that some non-Christian marriages seem to be better than those that identify as Christian. How do you explain that?
Mentor Couple: It can be explained by the fact that God pours His grace upon everyone and gives gifts to all, though not equally. It’s very possible for a non-Christian couple to receive more gifts than a Christian couple. The key question is how each of us responds to the gifts we’ve received. That couple may have a strong bond, but they don’t grow as God expects because they don’t believe in Him, don’t rely on Him, and don’t glorify His name. Instead, they depend on their own strength, believing they own everything they’ve received.
On the other hand, if a Christian couple glorifies God with their gifts (even if they’re fewer in number) and strives to nurture those gifts as a response to God’s immense love, reflecting that love to those around them, then they are truly glorifying God with their lives. It’s like having a very gifted child who is ungrateful and ignores you versus one who may be less talented but deeply appreciates your efforts and dedication, speaking highly of you and being affectionate. Which of the two do you think illuminates the world more?
James: Clearly, the second one.
Mentor Couple: Then let’s do the same with the gift of our marriage. Let’s always give glory to God!

Mother,

What matters more than the outcomes of our actions is the love with which we do them. The world seeks results, while the Lord asks us to love one another. Mother, may we be spouses who reflect the Grace of the Sacrament we have received. Amen.

Reaching for the Highest. Reflection for married couples. Mark 9, 30-37

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GOSPEL

Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
  They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Reaching for the Highest

Jesus speaks to His disciples about the greatness of His mission—a supernatural mission, nothing less than the salvation of the world through the cross. He is about to reach the pinnacle of human dignity by giving His body for me.

In contrast, the disciples sought greatness through domination, attempting to impose themselves on others. This attitude clearly causes division among them, while Jesus’ approach fosters an alliance—a union stronger than death. So strong that nothing will separate us from Him. The question now is: Do I want to create separation with my spouse through domination, or union with him/her through service and sacrifice? I choose to love.

Applied to Married Life:

Bettany: Lord, I don’t feel valued for what I do as a wife and mother. But I know these feelings are temptations; my ego wants to be exalted through vanity, and I don’t want to succumb to that temptation. I would rather be humbled with You through my self-giving on the cross, as a wife who offers her sacrifices for the salvation of her husband and children. I am with You, Lord; I will follow You.
Jack: Lord, I ask for forgiveness for not embracing the gift You’ve given me through my wife, and I thank You for her, for she teaches me how to love. Please help me to be more humble.
Bettany: No, Jack, you are a wonderful gift to me. These are temptations I need to overcome. I love you.
Jack: I love you too.

Mother,

How ugly it is for us, your children, to try to impose ourselves on one another. It must be an immense pain for You to witness these divisions born from our desire to be greater than others. Only God exalts, and He exalts those who humble themselves. How beautiful is the path of God’s love. Praise be to Him.

Creative Strength. Reflection for married couples. Matthew 9, 9-13

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GOSPEL

It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
  While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Creative Strength

You, Lord, are able to see in me more than others can. Where others find reasons for judgement and condemnation, You search deep to uncover something valuable within me. I want to look at my husband in the same way. Teach me, Lord, to see him like this. It seems very difficult to me, as I lack purity of heart, but I trust that You can help me find the best perspective within.

Applied to Married Life:

James: Saint John Paul II says in his catechesis that “the husband attentively observes his wife with a creator’s loving concern, seeking all that is good and beautiful in her and desiring it for her.” Reading that filled me with hope.
Martha: And why is that?
James: Because I believe that the Lord has instilled in me a creative strength capable of building with my love what you may lack in becoming the perfect wife.
Martha: That’s beautiful. Thank you.

Mother,

We offer that creative strength of beauty. 

 

My Queen. Reflection for married couples. Luke 8, 1-3

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GOSPEL

Luke 8:1-3
The women who accompanied Jesus
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

My Queen

Serving the Lord and the disciples with their resources is precisely what made these women holy. Here are some quotes from Saint John Paul II in the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem:
“Jesus also said: ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve’ (Mark 10:45). From the very first moment of her divine motherhood, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in her union with the Son whom ‘the Father sent into the world, that the world might be saved through him’ (cf. John 3:17), entered into the messianic service of Christ… This service constitutes the very foundation of that Kingdom, in which ‘to serve’ (…) means ‘to reign.’ Christ, the ‘Servant of the Lord,’ will reveal to all humanity the royal dignity of service, which is directly related to the vocation of every person.”
These holy women we honour today reigned on Earth and will reign with Christ in Heaven.


Applied to Married Life:

Maya: Why are you kissing my feet?
Charles: Because I humble myself before your femininity, your loving devotion, your spiritual grace as a wife and a mother. I bow before your divine wisdom and the tenderness of a daughter of Mary. I honour you as a mediator of God’s love. I admire the selfless service you provide, reflecting Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. To me, you are a testament to the motherhood of God, both Father and Mother. Your purity shields me from the mundane, like the protective embrace of the Rosary that you encourage me to pray with you every day. You are a beacon of faith for our children. How could I not kiss your feet when I feel unworthy of you?
Maya: Come now, get up and hug me, my husband. I was created for you, and you mean everything to me.

Mother,

Blessed are You for being the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and blessed are You for being the Mother of Christ and of the entire Church. In these roles, and as the Daughter of God, You continue to labour each day. Thank You, Lord, for the holy women You have placed in our lives.

Expressions of Love. Reflection for married couples. Luke 7, 36-50

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GOSPEL

Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
  Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Expressions of Love

Jesus greatly values the loving gestures of the sinful woman, recognising her faith through these acts and saving her. How important details are to the Lord! It’s essential to care for the liturgy and to show deep respect in His presence.
The same is true for the details exchanged between spouses. God Himself is attentive to His Bride. As Ezekiel 16:10-12 states: “I clothed you with embroidered garments, gave you sandals of fine leather, wrapped you in fine linen, and covered you with silk. I adorned you with jewellery: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. You adorned yourself with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.”
As Saint John Paul II said: “The good that one who loves creates, through their love, in the beloved.” Let us be considerate towards our spouses and show them many loving gestures, for those who pay attention to the little things are those who love deeply, and this is the word of God.

Applied to Married Life:

Laura: When we were dating, you were so much more thoughtful with me. I felt important to you, but now you seem distant and speak to me harshly. What has happened? Have you stopped loving me? Do I no longer matter to you?
Harry: You’re right. I’m sorry, Laura. I’ve been focusing on other responsibilities and have forgotten to show you that you are the most important person in my life. I promise that from now on, you will once again be the centre of my attention.

Mother,

With all the attention You give us, how can we not learn from You? We promise to strive to show our spouses the same thoughtful gestures You would have for them. Just as God cherishes us in Heaven, so should we cherish one another.