From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by,

he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.

He said to him, “”Follow me.””

And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners came

and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,

“”Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

He heard this and said,

“”Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

Go and learn the meaning of the words,

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.””

The gospel of the Lord

 

The day I stopped charging you

How many times do we ask ourselves what’s going wrong in our marriage? We argue about house chores, every decision to be made, our children’s upbringing, what we do and what we don’t do. Then we enjoy two days of peace… only to fall back into the same cycle.

Maybe it’s because we’re unknowingly sitting at a tax collector’s booth—there I am, demanding compliments, collecting what I believe are my rights in front of my spouse: attention, an apology, a return for all I’ve given and haven’t received… And all the while, sadness, pain, and despair eat away at my heart, convincing me that there is no solution for us.

But then Jesus passes by, looks at me with love, and calls: “Get up and follow Me!” He wants to lift us from that booth—a prison that keeps us from moving forward on the path of Love, which is the exact opposite of collecting and demanding. Love means giving freely and not keeping score. Be like Matthew—rise, stop charging, and follow Him.

Applied to married life:

Eva: Juan, I feel physically and mentally exhausted. I was giving so much, and during prayer, I realised I was judging you again—measuring what you do.

Juan: Wow… thank you so much for sharing that with me, Eva. Honestly, I admit I sometimes let myself off the hook.

Eva: You give in ways I don’t, but it’s as if all your efforts just disappear from my sight—and I only focus on my own sacrifices, expecting a reward in return. Anyway… here I go again, starting over. What a relief it is to see how the Lord cares for us and reveals the truth of what’s really happening. I was putting all the blame for my sadness on you.

Juan: You’re so beautiful, my sweet Evita. I thank God for you and ask Him to help me see your sorrow more clearly, so I can give myself more fully to you.

 

Mother,

Let me always say with you: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has looked upon the lowliness of His servant. Praised be He forever.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But Thomas said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

The word of the Lord

 

Believe to see

Today, just as the disciples said to Thomas, we too can joyfully say: “We have seen the Lord!” And there will be many around us who, like him, will respond: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”

Thomas was blinded by despair. The heartbreak of seeing the man to whom he had given his life crucified led him into hopelessness—and with that, he lost his faith. Yes, hopelessness is one of the enemy’s most powerful weapons.

But Thomas, despite his frustration and lack of faith, did not walk away from his community—from the Church. He returned to it, gathering again with his brothers, the Apostles. And then it happened:

Christ, full of Mercy, came to see him. He showed him the truth: that it really was Him, risen from the dead. And Thomas, repentant, recognized Him as his Lord—his God!

Christ also comes to visit us every day. He is with us—and we can see Him in a sunrise, in the touch or the smile of our spouse, in so many small blessings of daily life, and most especially in our Sacrament and in the Eucharist. Just as He came to the Upper Room that day, He comes to us today; or rather, even more—He comes to make us one with Him when we receive Him in Communion. It’s truly amazing! He is always beside us. Even if we do not see Him with our eyes, we can see Him with our hearts. He is always there—we need only to believe to see.

Even on the cross. Trusting that He never leaves us, even when we feel He is far away—in trials or tribulations—He stays by our side. He comes to show us His wounds and say that He suffers for us and with us. He says to us with all His Mercy: “Have faith. Blessed are those who believe without seeing!”

And when we doubt, we must return to the Church, to our community. There we will find Him.

Applied to Married Life:

Laura: Mario, sometimes I struggle to see God in the trial we’re going through. I’m suffering so much, I just don’t feel Him near…

Mario: Laura, what you’re experiencing are temptations from the evil one—trying to make us doubt that God is always with us. But He promised: “I will be with you always, to the end of the world.”

Laura: I know, but sometimes it’s so hard to believe… Help me, my husband, not to lose faith.

Mario: How many times have we heard: “God would not allow evil unless He could bring good out of it”—so let’s trust Him. I’m sure we’ll come out of this trial stronger in faith, humility, and patience. Let’s hope in Him.

Laura: It’s so good to hear you say that. It brings me peace. You’re just the husband I need.

Mario: Trust. But we do need prayer—lots of it. And let’s be present at our catechesis group, really living out the teaching of the month, and attend Adoration with the other couples.

Laura: Yes, prayer in unity is so important. Thank you, my love.

Mario: Thank God. So let’s pray together now—our conjugal prayer—to thank Him for the gifts He gives us, even the cross.

Mother,

Help us to see Christ in every circumstance of our lives, and may we always remain grateful. Praised be the Lord forever.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,

two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.

They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.

They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?

Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”

Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.

The demons pleaded with him,

“If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”

And he said to them, “Go then!”

They came out and entered the swine,

and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea

where they drowned.

The swineherds ran away,

and when they came to the town they reported everything,

including what had happened to the demoniacs.

Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,

and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

The word of the Lord

 

Loving through difficulty

Just days ago, we reflected on the Gospel passage of the Good Shepherd—where Jesus leaves the ninety-nine to seek out the one lost sheep. In this case, despite the rejection of the two demon-possessed men by everyone else, Jesus goes further: He chooses to love, has compassion on them. As always, He takes the initiative—He approaches, He calls the one in need. Christ doesn’t walk away from the sinner; He rejects the sin but draws near to the sinner to heal them.

But He needs our acceptance—our desire to want to live with Him, through Him, and in Him—acknowledging that on our own, we cannot do it. We bring our almost nothing—our will—and Christ brings His Everything, filling our hearts with His healing and merciful love.

Applied to married life:

Juan: Angélica, I feel so happy after the Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreat we just experienced.

Angélica: I know… I left feeling so hopeful, with a renewed vision. But now it’s been two weeks and I’m starting to think it’s just not possible.

Juan: Why do you say that? It’s true—we prayed together the first four days, but haven’t prayed since.

Angélica: I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. Things feel the same. I still think the worst of you—like yesterday when you came home late, or this morning when you didn’t kiss me good morning.

Juan: Angélica, those days we prayed together, you said there was peace in the house—something we hadn’t felt in a long time. You said you were happy because you weren’t thinking the worst of me anymore. I want to keep trying. Like they told us: God only asks for our almost nothing, our will to persevere.

Angélica: You’re right. You know it’s hard for me—so I ask for your patience. But what gives me hope is that I can already see a change in you, and I know that can only come from God. Thank you, Juan, for insisting we live our marriage as God intended.

Juan: You remembered the sign! We mustn’t forget it, okay? Do you also remember: “After acting so much like a man in love, he fell in love again”? That’s what’s happening to me.

Angélica: Oh, Juan! Let’s call on the Holy Spirit and pray with today’s Gospel.

 

Mother,

We ask that you help us act like Your Son—coming to our spouse in their sin, as a sacrifice and offering born of the love that unites us in communion. Praise be to our Savior.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,

so that the boat was being swamped by waves;

but he was asleep.

They came and woke him, saying,

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,

and there was great calm.

The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,

whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

The word of the Lord

 

Rescued

Lord, today You tell us that we hold back a part of our heart for ourselves, and that we don’t give it to You as Your children because we lack faith in the face of difficulties.

You tell us to rest in Your plan—that when challenges arise between us, You become stronger and more powerful if we turn to Grace through prayer and the sacraments, especially the sacrament of our marriage.

In times of trouble, if we act as Your children and come to You, You show Your power and rescue us from the storm, lifting up our sacrament with all Your Grace and with all Your Power.

Applied to married life:

Carmen, arriving home for lunch: Hi love, how was your morning?

Elías: Bad. I don’t even want to talk.

Carmen: Well, what fault is it of mine that your day went badly? Go deal with it yourself! I’ve got enough on my own plate!

(Later that afternoon, after prayer and with God’s Grace and the grace of his sacrament, Elías approaches Carmen…)

Elías: Love, forgive me. At lunch today, my pride came out because of the difficulties I’m going through at work. And instead of turning to the Lord for help, I lashed out at you.

Carmen: It’s okay, Elías. I didn’t help either. Instead of welcoming and understanding you, I also hurt you.

Elías: What do you think—should we pray now and ask the Lord to help us trust more in His plans?

Carmen: That sounds like a wonderful idea! And tomorrow we’ll offer it to the Lord at Mass.

Both together: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…

Mother,

May we, like You, say Yes to God’s Plan. Teach us to say: “Let it be done to us according to Your word.” Praised be the Lord.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their dead.”

The word of the Lord

 

Lord, we want to follow You

So often the past holds us back—it keeps us from being close to the Lord because we cling to what we did, to how poorly we lived out our marriage for so many years, to the fear of falling again. We look at ourselves, our own strength, our own ideas and plans. We lick our wounds. And we lose hope.

Today the Lord tells us to leave behind our “dead”: our bad experiences, our sins, our lack of love and tenderness—and to look at Him. To begin again, with renewed desire to live out our marriage as the Father intended. Now it’s different, because we are walking hand in hand with Him—His hand wounded by love—and filled with the joy of having found Him. Yes, Lord, we want to follow You and not remain behind burying our dead.

What great joy it is to walk this path with You. Blessed are You, Lord. You are our Love.

Applied to married life:

Sara: Husband, I see you’re sad.

John: Yes. Sometimes I remember the years we lost in destroying our marriage, how much we made each other suffer, and I feel sorrow.

Sara: It’s true, we went through very hard years. But now, with this new way we see one another, with this joyful hope to rebuild our marriage, and with Jesus present in our lives, the truth is that each day should be filled only with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

John: Thank you, Sara. You help me so much. You know I have a bit of a melancholic temperament, and I feel like the devil pokes right there to make me lose hope and joy.

(And J and Sara looked back to the Lord, following Him along the way, singing and praising Him—delighted by His call to live marital charity.)

Mother,

Help us to look at Jesus—to be filled with joy each day for the beautiful path He has opened for us to live our marriage as the Father intended. Praised be He for showing it to us.