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One step away: gentleness. Reflection for Marriages. Matthew 5:20-26

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From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Word of the Lord.

One step away: gentleness.

In this Gospel, the punishment for a seemingly minor insult and the requirement for reconciliation with a brother, whether the dispute is justified or not, seem somewhat exaggerated. The Lord loves each and every one of us so much that He does not tolerate any kind of conflict between us, no matter how small. The severity of the insult is directly proportional to the value of the person, and the Lord has given us an incredibly high value out of love, making even the slightest friction unacceptable. How much more so with my spouse, to whom I owe a very special respect, as he is the one God has entrusted to me to be one with.

Applied to Married Life:

Luis: Reading this Gospel, Macarena, I realize the incredible value and dignity you possess. Truly, being in your presence is like standing on sacred ground.
Macarena: You’re right, Luis. How highly God values us to protect us in such an exaggerated manner. I don’t know how to always see you this way from now on.
Luis: I think we need to start a revolution of gentleness. It has to be our best “weapon” against any temptation to conflict. How about we set that as our goal for this summer?
Macarena: I think it’s wonderful. I love the idea. Just with that, our relationship becomes an earthly paradise.
Luis: Or the kingdom of God.
Macarena: Exactly.

Mother,

We are one step away from building the kingdom of God among us, and that step is called “gentleness.” With what gentleness did you treat Joseph? Blessed are you, Mother.

Finger-licking good. Reflection for Marriages. Matthew 5:17-19

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From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Word of the Lord.

Finger-licking good.

How we love to take ownership of God’s things, and for that, there’s nothing better than shaping God’s laws to suit myself. That way, if I follow them, I can feel at ease because I have complied.
But Christ teaches me that God’s laws are directed at helping me become who I am called to be. The law of the indissolubility of marriage, for example, is determined because God has made us one, and our actions should reflect this, what we are in the image of Christ, who also becomes one with us. This is who we are, this is what dignifies us, and it is what God wants us to be, and so He establishes His law. That we be united and moved by love.

Applied to married life:

Almudena: When there are God’s laws that we don’t want to follow, it’s a bad sign.
Luis: What do you mean, Almudena?
Almudena: Look Luis, God’s laws are not something we have to follow forcefully, but rather something we should desire to follow for our own good. For example, to me, the indissolubility of marriage used to seem like an unjust law and an unbearable burden. But now, I thank God because what He asks of me is something as great and beautiful as being one with you. What better task for my life!
Luis: That’s right, becoming completely one is a beautiful task. It’s like when someone cooks something out of obligation because they have to eat, versus when they want to please their wife and children with a delicious dish that’s finger-licking good. By the way, did I tell you that you are finger-licking good?
Almudena: Hahaha… It’s because God’s laws are finger-licking good. Hahaha… Come on, silly, keep working on that sauce, it looks delicious.

Mother,

How we love God’s laws. We know He has given them to us for and because of love. Praise the Lord.

The 3 Keys. Reflection for Marriages. MT 5:13-16

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From the Gospel according to Matthew

MT 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Heavenly Father
Word of the Lord 
The 3 Keys.
You, dear spouses, are the light of the world, the light of the Church, of the youth, and of society. The conversion of many depends on our testimony. If we live as a worldly couple, they will see the works of the flesh, but if we live our Sacrament united to Christ, then and only then, we will give glory to our Father who is in heaven.
Applied to married life:
Marta: Good morning.
Rafael: Very good morning.
Marta: Well, yours will be better.
Rafael: Surely they will.
Marta: Mmm, I’ll keep quiet. Is this where they offer happy marriages?
Rafael: Very happy.
Marta: Here we go… Extra super happy, okay. But is this the place?
Rafael: Yes. Tell me, what do you need?
Marta: Well, aren’t I telling you? I need a happy marriage.
Rafael: Very happy.
Marta: Okay, very happy then.
Rafael: Here you go: I give you the three keys.
Marta: Who are you, the concierge?
Rafael: No. I am the Archangel.
Marta: Right, and I’m Mary Magdalene. What am I supposed to do with these 3 keys?
Rafael: First, believe in them. The first is the power of the Sacraments, especially Matrimony, which is yours, and nourish it with prayer. The second is to learn to love in marriage by following the teachings and model of Christ. And the third is to deny yourself “every day” and give yourself to your spouse.
Marta: But I came for something for him.
Rafael: They are the same keys. But just using them yourself is enough.
Marta: Well, what a disappointment. I already had those keys before I came here.
Rafael: Yes, but since you weren’t using them, I gave them back to you.
Marta: Well, I’ll take your advice. Goodbye, good morning… “Archangel.”
Rafael: Goodbye, may God give us a very good morning, “Mary Magdalene.”
Mother,
May we use the keys that Christ has given us to be a light to the world. It is our responsibility.
Sent from my iPhone

Ultrasound of the Heart of Jesus. Reflection for Marriages. Matthew 5:1-12

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From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Word of the Lord.

Ultrasound of the Heart of Jesus.

We often recommend looking to the Heart of Christ when reading the Gospel. Today we propose it especially because Jesus speaks to us about being happy, and we immediately focus on understanding the keys to happiness to see if, finally… it fully arrives. But if Jesus describes who the blessed are, it is because He wants to make them blessed. Therefore, we delve into the desires of the Heart of Jesus.

Applied to married life:

Carmen: Many times, we ask to be in the Heart of Jesus and to live everything from Him. How can we do it?
Luis: Certainly by knowing Him to have “the same feelings as Christ,” and for that, there is no better ultrasound than the beatitudes. In them, He describes His deepest desires.
Carmen: For example, His inclination toward those most in need. He will be attentive to you, especially when you need Him the most.
Luis: Also toward those who suffer for His cause. How much He loves you when you are criticized for loving Him.
Carmen: Or toward those who follow Him in that mercy. How much I must value you each time you reach out to someone despite their sin.
Luis: And those who strive to establish the will of God as He did and give themselves to achieve peace. We are in His Heart when we give ourselves on the cross to bring His peace to others.
Carmen: And also the pure of heart. Here, I especially see those He said were His Mother and brothers, those who hear the Word and fulfill it. How much He values this unwavering faithfulness. This is what He likes us to have among ourselves, without criticism, without complaints…
Luis: How much one learns from the Heart of Jesus in the Beatitudes, right?
Carmen: I love it. I have to keep praying them to discover more things.

Mother,

With you, my spirit rejoices in God. Praise be.

Madness, yes, but madness of love. Reflection for marriages: Mark 3:20-35

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GOSPEL

A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand
From the Gospel according to Mark 
Mk 3:20-35
Jesus went home with his disciples, and such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
  The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
  ‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
  His mother and brothers now arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Madness, Yes, But Madness of Love

When people think it’s already excessive how much one gives to others or how deeply one loves God, they often think one is out of their mind. Such is the intensity of Jesus’ love for people that it even prevents Him from eating.

Applied to Married Life:

Father: Daughter, this isn’t normal. You’re almost skipping meals just to see your husband for a bit and have coffee with him. One day, it’s going to take a toll on you. You’ll see him again tonight anyway. Why such a rush? Stay a bit longer, eat calmly, rest, and then go straight to pick up your children from school.
Mary: Dad, I want to see him, alright? We can spend a little time together. He tells me that being with me makes him feel great, it relaxes him and clears his mind, and on the days I can’t go, he misses me a lot and really notices the difference.
Father: Daughter, no one would believe you’ve been married for 24 years. Your husband is very lucky!
Mary: No, Dad, I don’t believe in luck. I am truly blessed with the husband God has given me!

Mother,
I know you prefer that I love the Lord above all, because by loving Him, I make you happy too. That’s the beauty of your holiness. Teach us, Mother, to discern where madness lies and where true wisdom is, so that we may be truly faithful to the total surrender Christ asks of us. We ask this through Him. Amen.