Gospel

Gospel

‘Immediately the leprosy left him.’
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 5:12-16

While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but ‘go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

The Gospel of the Lord

A Testimony to You

Lord, Your works testify to You and who You are. Your Law surpasses the law of Moses, which could not cure Miriam of her leprosy. That leper carried Your testimony to the priests in the temple, for You are greater than Moses, and Your Sacrifice surpasses those offered in the temple for purification under Moses’ law.
My testimony of Your work in me is tarnished by areas of my life where I fail to bear witness to You. Yet Your testimony is definitive. That is why You came into the world—because only You could bear true witness. Thank You, Lord.

Applied to Married Life:

Jonathan: A leper in contact with a healthy person spreads their disease. But You, Lord, purify everyone You touch, because Your goodness is stronger than my sin. In contact with You, You heal me. Today, Lord, I have fallen again, and once again, You want to cleanse me. Tomorrow, I will bear witness to You before those who doubt that You are the Son of God, the Saviour.
Amelia: What would have become of that leper if he hadn’t borne witness to You, Lord? What would he have deserved? I, too, want to bear witness to You, Lord, because Your work in me deserves to be known by many so they may believe. May Your Sacrifice bear abundant fruit for the salvation of souls. Count on me, Lord. Even if I feel ashamed, even if it seems I lose my dignity when others learn of the misery You’ve forgiven in me. I believe You deserve more. I believe honour and glory should return to You. Count on my testimony, Lord, for the salvation of many marriages.
Jonathan: Count on my testimony, Lord, for the salvation of many husbands.

Mother,

May we be messengers of God’s love through our testimony. May we be courageous, because the Sacrifice of Your Son is worthy. Praise be to the Lord, who works the miracle of forgiving us and granting us His grace every day. Amen.

Gospel

‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 4:14-22a

At that time: Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ And all spoke well of him and marvelled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

Centre of Attention

Lord, I am small, though I sometimes struggle to admit it and try to act big. It’s such a shame because You focus on the small, and I end up stepping out of Your spotlight. But now I acknowledge it, Lord: I am poor, not yet fully free, blinded by my sin, and oppressed by my bad habits. Will You come to me, please?

Applied to Married Life:

Magdalena: The more you try to act big, the more mistakes you make, and the less I like it. Just be yourself. I love you as you are. Don’t try to appear more than you are, because that’s when you become less than you truly are.
Andrew: You’re right. My strength is in my weakness because that’s when the Lord focuses on me.
Magdalena: That’s my husband! How much I love you!

Mother,

This is a time of grace, even though we often focus on misfortunes. We keep our hope in the Lord because what was read truly comes to pass—even today! Praise be to the Lord.

Gospel

‘They saw him walking on the sea.’
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 
Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied: Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

The Gospel of the Lord

Courage, It’s Me

The Lord sends me on missions that often feel overwhelming. Life itself can be tough at times. So much is beyond my control: the future of my children, my health and that of my family, work circumstances… But today, Lord, You look me in the eye and say: “Take courage, it’s Me; do not be afraid.”
Each night, I see You beside me. I see Your providential hand at work in countless moments of my life. I know You are with me, and that calms me, gives me peace, fills me with confidence and joy. You are by my side. How important I am to You. Thank You, Lord!

Applied to Married Life:

Graham: Alison, I’ve realised we live constantly under the shadow of fear. They say that over 90% of our fears are rooted in things that haven’t happened and likely never will. But we still worry about what might happen. What if I lose my job? What if something happens to the children? What if someone breaks into the house? What if I fall ill? What if we can’t pay the mortgage? What if you leave me?
Alison: True, Graham, but our fragility has a positive side—it reminds us that the Lord is present, that we depend on Him, and that He cares for us. The only way to live our lives in peace is to trust in Him. There are so many “what ifs” in the life of a family!
Graham: Absolutely. After experiencing the miracle of life, receiving the gift of family, and the gift of faith… we let fear of trivial things defeat us. It’s clear that if I live in fear, it’s because I’m turning my back on God. So, I’ve decided to keep Him at the centre and live my life with a sense of the supernatural. Today, the Lord says to me: “Take courage, it’s Me; do not be afraid!”

Mother,

How wonderful it is that the Lord wants to be so close to me, to care for me, to encourage me, and to fill me with hope. It gives me such joy to have Him by my side. My God. Who is like God? Praise be to Him.