GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Mark. Mk 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”‘ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

“Confes-Suction”.

Jesus seeks to teach where true purity is attained. The key lies in the heart and it is the purity of intention. The opposite of purity is hypocrisy, that is, caring for the outside appearances while neglecting what comes from the heart. Human laws focus on the outside matters, but they forget about the inner truth.

Applied to marriaged life:

John: Tonight, I came up with an idea for a new business.

Gemma: What is it about?

John: Let’s start a cosmetic clinic.

Gemma: Well, you’re certainly not very original. There are already more cosmetic clinics than banks.

John: True, but those focus on outside appearances. I’m talking about a clinic for inner purity.

Gemma: Now, that is original. And how do you achieve that?

John: Easy. I’ll advertise on social media, and the location will be the sanctuary of the parish. Haha! Just imagine the surprise when they come for liposuction and find themselves in attending “confes-suction” at the confessional. We’ll tell them it’s a new system, and that’s it.

Gemma: Haha, I can imagine. Come on, get up; it’s already 7:30, and we have to go to work.

Mother,

Let us not neglect what is inside while focusing on appearances. Praised be the Lord.

GOSPEL

As many as touched it were heal
From the Gospel according to Mark. MK 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

The Gospel of the Lord.

They wouldn’t believe it.

We have been created so that God may dwell in us, and He is already within us and will continue to be dewll in us for all eternity, when He will fill us with His glory.

In the times of Jesus, people longed to touch the hem of His garment. Now, on the contrary, He is within me. How am I going to make the most of that?

Applied to Married Life:

Ray: I am amazed by God’s behavior towards me, by how much He loves me. It’s great that He wants to be close to me, but inside?

Rose: It’s a mystery of His overflowing love. But, would you believe that love can truly exist if it’s not in this manner?

Ray: Only if it’s spousal, correct?. I carry you deep within me, and even when we live our marital embrace, I enter inside you. In marital prayer, I enter in your intimacy, which is the most precious part of you.

Rose: Exactly. Christ espouses us with spousal love. He doesn’t want a halfway love. He desires a love of total surrender. It’s impressive.

Ray: It’s overwhelming.

Mother,

If those ancestors from the Old Testament were to come now, they wouldn’t believe the immense fortune we have. God in us. Blessed be The Lord.”

GOSPEL

“He cured many who were sick with various diseases”

From the Gospel according to Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The Gospel of the Lord

Through Your Eyes

The Lord does not act influenced by everyone´s expectations from Him. Am I as free as He is, or am I conditioned by what others might think of me?

It is crucial to prayerfully discern God’s will and then carry out my actions as if He were my only spectator.

Applied to married life

Robert: Guess what?? I noticed my mood is heavily influenced by what you think of me. If you’re happy with me, I’m happy.

Gemma: : I’m more concerned about what God thinks of me. However, I believe it’s closely tied to whether you’re content with me or not.

Robert: I feel the same way. But to be honest, I recognize that I don’t always have a pure perspective when it comes to you That means I can’t see all your greatness and beauty because my judgments and prejudices cloud my perception.

Gemma: That’s true. Are you happy with me despite my imperfections?

Robert: Well, occasionally.

Gemma: What do you mean, occasionally?

Robert: Sometimes happy, and at other times, extremely happy.

Gemma: Hahaha. You’re quite a character…

Mother,

What do you see in me when you look at me? And when you look at my husband? I would love to see with Your eyes.

GOSPEL

“For they were like sheep without a shepherd”

From the Gospel according to Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things

The Gospel of the Lord

Lacrimosa.

It is indeed important to find moments to be alone with the Lord. Without such moments, we will offer little help to others, and our actions may reflect our own sense of justice rather than God’s. However, at the same time, if we pray a lot and this does not translate into attitudes like compassion and love, our prayers are of no use. Either we are not truly praying, or we are not praying properly, because the Lord will always lead us to the greatest virtue, which is charity.

Applied to married life

Susan: Well, another grandchild on the way. They seem to be coming one after another, don’t they?

Harry: Yes. We’ll have to give them a hand as much as we can. I don’t know if you see it the same way, but since I retire, it feels like I’m working even more than before. With our role as grandparents, the missions of Project for marital Love, and our journey of marital spirituality, we’ll barely have time to eat.

Susan: True, but marital prayer, the Eucharist, and the rosary are sacred. Okay? We may not have time for meals, but we’ll pray, no matter what. Hey, what are you doing with that little jar?

Harry: Collecting a tear that’s falling. I got emotional seeing how in love you are with the Lord and how you help me stay faithful.

Susan: (Takes his hand and squeezes it) It’s God who gives me this love for Him. And what are you doing with that little jar now?

Harry: I’m labeling it and placing it in this display case. Look, here’s the tear from the day I converted. Here’s the one from the day I discovered the greatness of our marriage…

Susan: And what do you call your collection?

Harry: It’s my “emotional” collection. You know I like to keep the significant moments in my heart to thank God. I sit here occasionally, remembering each moment while listening to Lacrimosa Mozart’s Requiem.

Mother,

May our prayer help us grow in love. Praise be to God.