GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.

For which of these are you trying to stone me?”

The Jews answered him,

“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.

You, a man, are making yourself God.”

Jesus answered them,

“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘?

If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,

and Scripture cannot be set aside,

can you say that the one

whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world

blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;

but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,

believe the works, so that you may realize and understand

that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Then they tried again to arrest him;

but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan

to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.

Many came to him and said,

“John performed no sign,

but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many there began to believe in him.

The Word of the Lord.

Family in action.

Lord, thank you for the many good works you do every day in our lives. Indeed, they are the works of the Father, those and only those, because you always act in His name. Today I feel you asking me if I also behave like a child, doing the works of my Father. I thoroughly review these days and wonder about it. We too can do the works of the Father: I remember that husband, who had no faith. But someone whom God had placed in his path said to him, if you cannot pray, I will pray for you. After a while, inexplicably, that husband converted, and in what a way. His relationship with God became a priority in his life.

Applied to married life:

Carlos: For these days, I propose a family plan. We can do extraordinary things, if God wills it through us. We can do works that speak of God. What do you think? We can achieve love at home, being a “Family in action”: With you, wife, even when you are angry with me, or if it is me who gets angry… In every small detail of the home… When we talk with God and our children, who need to deepen their understanding…

Carmen: Doing works so that love and warmth reign in the home, creating an environment where everyone wants to be. This must be like a little piece of heaven for our family. A place where our hearts rest, where we share sorrows and joys, where our souls also rest in Jesus. Isn’t that the home of God? Those are the works of God that we can do in the family, and that demonstrate that we are His children.

Mother,

No one can tell me anymore that you do not exist because I have experienced Your action in my life. I know you are by my side. I know you lead me to your Son. Do not leave me, Mother. I live for you. Glory to God. Amen.

GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”

They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

The Word of the Lord.

God’s patience.

Far from feeling aversion towards non-believers or those who are distant, we should feel compassion. How much they would like to see what we see! And the tragedy is that they don’t see it.
On the other hand, we must be careful not to let the gift of faith go to our heads, lest we stop seeing Christ, as happened to the Pharisees who had the Son of God before them and, believing they already knew everything, only saw what the eyes of the flesh see.

Applied to married life:

Teresa: What have we done wrong? Our children still have one foot in the world.
Manuel: Well… I think it’s a matter of faith now. It’s not so much about insisting on what we’ve already told them many times.
Teresa: That’s true. We’re so eager for them to discover it and make a certain decision that sometimes we even exasperate them.
Manuel: That’s why I say, it’s better to pray and offer sacrifices for them and have the patience that God is having with them, as He did with us. It’s time to demonstrate our faith.

Mother,

The devil wants to instill pride in us so that we stop seeing with the eyes of faith. You, who by the grace of God are the Almighty Supplicant, deliver us from this evil. Amen.

GOSPEL

GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

The Word of the Lord

Trust in yourself.

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the moment, it is surprising that this solemnity focuses on Joseph as a spouse. Today we especially consider the faith of this wonderful example of a husband and father, whose merits are very simple yet difficult. Simple because through faith he received the grace that allowed him to act holy in very tough situations. How important faith is to receive grace and be a good spouse.

Applied to married life:

Marcos: Prayer is so important to me. When I pray, I rest in God, in His providence. But it’s not enough to just be with Him in isolation. I only perceive that rest when I do it daily and almost constantly keep my gaze on God’s will. My day becomes ordered, my priorities, my decisions… everything falls into place. God already has it all arranged.

María: Yes, you’re right. It’s like we disarrange the pieces that God gives us to build His kingdom, and in prayer and before Him, they are reordered. It also helps me a lot that you are a man of prayer because it gives me confidence in you and your judgments.

Marcos: Thank you for your trust. Honestly, I wouldn’t trust myself if it weren’t for being close to the Lord at all times.

Mother,

May we learn to be spouses like Saint Joseph. God has mapped out the greatest path for each of us; it’s just a matter of listening to Him and following Him. Praise be to God, who loves us so much.

GOSPEL

Let the one among you who is faultless be the first to cast a stone.
Reading from the Gospel according to John 8:1-11

During that time, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. In the early morning, he returned to the temple, and a crowd gathered around him. He sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, stood her before the crowd, and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, seeking grounds to accuse him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. As they continued to question him, he stood up and said, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. Upon hearing this, they left one by one, starting with the elders, until only Jesus and the woman remained. Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin again.”

The Word of the Lord

Endless Excuses.

According to Saint John Paul II, our hearts can react to sin in two ways: accusation or calling. Accusation, fueled by darkness, despair, contempt, and condemnation, is characteristic of the devil. However, the Lord comes not to condemn but to forgive, heal, restore dignity, and entrust us with His grace once more. Today, we must choose between adopting the devil’s accusatory stance or embracing God’s forgiving approach to sin.

Applied to Marriage:

Mary: (Inwardly prays: “Lord, my husband has treated me harshly, but I won’t hold it against him. I won’t condemn him but instead offer myself in sacrifice for his redemption.”) Darling, you seem tense now, but this will pass, and you’ll find your way back to the Lord’s heart. Your love for the Lord is evident; you don’t wish to cause Him pain. You seek union with Him and with me. I believe you’ll continue striving, and the Lord will sanctify you. I trust you, Carlos. You’re an amazing husband.
Charles: Thank you, Merche. Your encouragement helps me regain my dignity as a child of God and restores my hope. Thank you for your boundless love. May God bless you abundantly.

Mother,

We are blessed to have such a merciful Father. We aspire to act as His beloved children. Forever praised be His name.