GOSPEL

“For my eyes have seen your salvation”

From the Gospel according to Luk 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord

Cheese wrap.

The only offering that is pleasing to God and deserving of Him is the one involving His Son. Our good deeds hold no value unless we are in unity with Him, aligning them with His will and performing them in His name.. Today we commemorate the day when Our Mother offers Her Son to God the Father for the first time. Later, He offers Himself on the Cross, and now we participate in that offering in every Eucharist and in every sacrifice of ours where we unite as part of Him. It is the great offering to which the Father cannot resist.

Applied to married life

Charles: Ana, I’m going to ask you and the kids for a favor.

Ana: Yes, of course, whatever you need. We’re here for you.

Charles: (Lies down on the floor on a rug and says) Look, I want you to wrap me up in this rug, with my arms close to my body, and then unroll me in 15 minutes.

Ana: Well, if that’s what you want, we’ll do it. Kids! Come help me wrap up Dad in the rug. And why do you need us to do this?

Charles: Because I’ve promised the Lord to offer him 15 minutes without doing anything, and I can’t manage it. By the time I realize it, I’ve already gotten up to do something around the house. So, inside the rug, I’m completely immobilized.

(Ana and the kids wrap Charles in the rug amidst laughter and playful banter)

The kids: Look, a hot daddy. Hahaha. It’s like a hot dog but with a Dad sausage inside. Hahaha. Mom, can I put ketchup on his head?

Ana: No, kids, it’s sacrifice enough for him already. Let’s all pray instead, so the Lord may unite Dad’s sacrifice with His for the greater glory of God. Okay? Our Father, who art in heaven…

Kids: Okay. But if we add some cheese slices, it could be a cheese wrap. Hahaha. What if we add some flowers? Then it would be a spring roll. Hahaha.

(And amidst laughter, Carlos was able to offer his sacrifice united with that of Christ. Glory to God.)

Mother,

What an impressive offering the Eucharist is. What an immense gift the Lord has left us through the hands of our priests. Praise be to God.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The word of the Lord

Everything is in order.

In the recent scripture, God reprimanded King David for assessing his military might, emphasizing the importance of trusting that God is the ultimate victor. This lesson applies to my life, particularly in my marriage and evangelistic endeavors. I act in His name, recognizing that He is the true force behind my actions.

So, who is the architect of my marriage? It is Him. Relying solely on my abilities will lead to hardship for both me and my family. Building a united marriage, forging one heart and soul, is an audacious endeavor. It’s beyond human capability. Hence, a couple without the Sacrament cannot achieve it. We firmly believe in the Sacrament of Marriage as the sole genuine means of unity.

Reflection for Marriage life:

Lorena: Marino, shall we embark on our mission?
Marino: Indeed. Have you gathered everything, Lorena?
Lorena: Yes, I have notes, a guitar, a rosary, and a prayer book for the Holy Sacrament. What about you?
Marino: I’ve got an app linked to my glasses identifying attending couples, a webcam gauging their attentiveness, an earpiece adapter correcting my lines, and a laser device to playfully shut your mouth if you exceed the time. We’re also accompanied by our virtual assistants: Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and OkGoogle. I believe I have everything in check.
Lorena: Haha. Aren’t you forgetting the Holy Spirit?
Marino: Ah, a brilliant suggestion. Where can I download that?
Lorena: You’re one of a kind, Marino. Check ES.es for that… Haha. Stop the banter and get in the car; we’re running late.
(They enter the car, and just before starting the engine)
Marino: Where are the keys?
Lorena: I didn’t take them.
Marino: Neither did I. Just a moment…
(Marino starts dialing on his mobile)
Lorena: Who are you calling?
Marino: Saint Peter; he has the keys, doesn’t he?
Both: Haha

Mother,

We trust in the Sacrament of Marriage and in our mission for marriage and family. With your guidance, we feel fully equipped. Praise God for providing abundantly more than we require.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to Mark
MK 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

The word of the Lord

Understanding or categorising.

We can either genuinely understand Jesus or hold biased opinions about Him. Our inclination to control often leads us to quickly assign labels when interacting with others. Have you never experienced initially disliking someone only to discover that, upon truly knowing them, they become one of your closest friends?

This same dynamic exists with Jesus. We either carry preconceptions or genuinely comprehend who He is. Lord, I desire to continue deepening my understanding of You, exploring Your true essence because comprehending You fully is beyond reach. Additionally, Lord, I request a deeper understanding of my spouse, acknowledging and overcoming my biases to love them as You do.

Reflection for Marriage life:

Montse: Last night, I dreamt about you, Vicent
Vicent: Something beautiful, I presume, Montse?
Montse: In my dream, you were Fred Astaire, and I was Ginger Rogers. I admired you spellbound as we tap-danced together. Upon waking, I wondered, why don’t I always look at Vicente with that same admiration? I observed you sleeping with your mouth open and all disheveled. Despite it not being your most ideal image, the Lord granted me the ability to cherish you and remind myself: He’s the incredible husband God has given me! In gratitude, I thanked God for you.
Vicent: Well, if I had known, I would have dressed in a tuxedo and bowtie before bed. Come here, my love: (He pulls her out of bed, and they dance together in pajamas around the room while Vicente sings)
Vicent: Heaven, I’m in heaven. And my heart.

Mother,

Let us rid our hearts of prejudices, allowing the Lord to perform miracles in our marriage. Praise be to God.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

The word of the Lord

Remnants of grievances

Throughout a marriage’s journey, there may be lingering issues, akin to traces of unresolved offenses that burden the union of spouses, much like the woman with the long-standing issue of blood. What to do? Seek the intervention of the Most Holy Sacrament, let His hands be laid upon, and hear His comforting words, “I speak to you, my child, arise.”

Applied to Married life:
Charles: I’ve resisted your suggestions for quite some time, but I observe in you a tranquility and joy that elude me. I envy those who hold faith, but I find myself unable.
Alpa (Charles wife): Neither you nor anyone else can provide faith, but if you desire, God can grant it.
Charles: I do want it, but how?
Alpa: Join me in experiencing faith. Come, witness it.
Charles: Where?
Alpa: I’ll introduce you to a group of married couples with faith. Soak in their experiences. Seek their testimonies. Then, I invite you to share in daily prayers with me. You will gradually build a personal connection with the One who embodies the Truth. Over time, you’ll witness miracles in your life, unexplainable changes that will increasingly convince you. Just act as if you believe.
(And after a few months, the miraculous transformation occurred. Charles embraced faith because he chose to believe. God found a dwelling within him, bringing peace and joy into his life.)

Mother,
Jesus desires a personal connection with me, with me! He sought to encounter the woman with the issue of blood for that vital personal touch she needed for her conversion. It is the proximity to Him that heals and rescues us. Praise be to the Lord who instills faith in us.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,
to the territory of the Gerasenes.
When he got out of the boat,
at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.
The man had been dwelling among the tombs,
and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.
In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains,
but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,
and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides
he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.
Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,
he ran up and prostrated himself before him,
crying out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”
(He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”)
He asked him, “What is your name?”
He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.”
And he pleaded earnestly with him
not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.
And they pleaded with him,
“Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.”
And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.
The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,
where they were drowned.
The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town
and throughout the countryside.
And people came out to see what had happened.
As they approached Jesus,
they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion,
sitting there clothed and in his right mind.
And they were seized with fear.
Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened
to the possessed man and to the swine.
Then they began to beg him to leave their district.
As he was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
“Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

The word of the Lord.

Choose a husband over a mobile device.

Evil diminishes human dignity, but the Lord offers liberation, requiring us to let go of worldly attachments such as pleasures, luxuries, and prideful successes. Some struggle to part with their “treasures,” resisting the Lord’s call. Those who respond positively may be directed to exclusive devotion to Him or to prioritize family and marital responsibilities before spreading the Gospel. Such obedience ensures God’s protection against the grip of evil.

Applied to married life:
Sofía expresses frustration to Ángel about her inability to manage the time she spends on mobile chats. Despite her desire to change, she feels helpless in the situation. Ángel acknowledges Sofía’s ambitious nature, noting her significant improvement in prioritizing the Lord and their relationship. Sofía appreciates Ángel’s comforting presence during moments of despair.

Later, Ángel discovers Sofía with her wrists tied to the bed, explaining it’s a deliberate choice to resist reaching for her phone, aiming for greater fidelity to the Lord. Ángel playfully suggests tying herself to him for more frequent hugs, to which Sofía jokingly accuses him of being a bit self-interested but agrees to the amusing exchange of the phone for a husband.

In a prayer, the writer emphasizes the crucial role of the Lord in keeping negativity away and hopes for His continuous presence in their marriage. Praise be to the Lord.