Gospel

‘Herod sent and had John beheaded, and his disciples went and told Jesus.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 14:1–12

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord

Fears

In this Gospel, two different attitudes that we can take towards life’s situations are set in contrast. We can act in freedom, defending the truth and fearlessly proclaiming God’s law before the world—not to condemn people, but to call them to conversion, as John the Baptist did. Or we can act as slaves to human fears, to our passions, to what others may think, like King Herod, who imprisoned John because he exposed his sin, and eventually had him killed, trapped by his own empty words, spoken merely to please his guests and avoid breaking the promise he had made in public.
Husbands and wives, these same two attitudes can also be lived out within marriage. When my spouse points out my sin and tells me that something is not right, I have two choices: I can acknowledge my weakness and, with God’s help, seek to change; or I can react like Herod, turning against my spouse and imprisoning them in my heart because I refuse to accept their correction, because I do not want to recognise or renounce my sin. When we seek our own comfort, our pride or the approval of others, we drift further and further away from truth and love. There may even come a point when our fears grow so great that they bring death to our sacrament, committing a sacrilege by trampling upon the very God who unites us and dwells between us. When, however, we allow Christ to reign in our hearts, we become capable of loving our spouse with fidelity, even when that demands self-denial or sacrifice. Which path will I choose?

Applied to Married Life:

At Luke and Louise’s home:
Luke: Louise, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Louise: I’ve told you a thousand times to leave me alone. I’ll do what I want. There’s nothing wrong with going out with my lifelong friends. It’s my life, so stop interfering.
Luke: But darling, they don’t seem to be bringing anything good into your life, and I can see they’re driving us further apart…
Louise: Do you know what? I’ve had enough of all this lecturing! That’s it! I’m not your slave. Tomorrow I’m leaving, and you can get on without me!

At Paul and Philippa’s home:
Paul: Philippa, I don’t think these nights out with your friends are doing you any good.
Philippa: I don’t think we’re doing anything wrong, but why do you say that?
Paul: I don’t think they’re bringing anything good into your life. You always seem unsettled when you come home, and I feel it’s driving us further apart.
Philippa: To be honest, we do have a great time, but we almost always end up speaking badly about our husbands… You’re right, I can see that it’s not doing me any good. And if it’s also drawing me away from you… thank you for telling me and for opening my eyes, Paul. You come first for me. I don’t want anything to come between us.

Mother,
teach us to love one another truly with the love of God, as Christ loves each one of us and loves His Church, with a gentle and humble heart, so that the flame of love in our marriage may never be extinguished. Blessed and glorious are You, Mother! Praised be the Lord for ever!

Gospel

‘Is not this the carpenter’s son? Where then did this man get all these things?’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:54–58

At that time: Coming to his home town Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his home town and in his own household.’ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

The Gospel of the Lord

Faith

With just a single glance, Jesus could transform even the hardest of hearts. Yet many of the people from His own town, those who were closest to Him, failed to recognise Him. Although they listened to Him and were amazed by what He said, they did not understand His words because they did not receive them with faith. How difficult it is to recognise Jesus’ saving message without faith! Indeed, it is impossible. The same can happen with our spouse. We may fail to recognise their role as God’s instrument precisely because they are so familiar to us. We know their weaknesses, their failings and even their sins, and so it can seem impossible that the Lord would use them to help us attain holiness. Yet this is precisely their unique role through the Sacrament of Matrimony. That is why we must ask the Lord to increase the faith He gave us on the day of our Baptism, so that we may recognise His redeeming hand in every event of our lives.

Applied to Married Life

Margaret: I find it incredible that your sister now wants to give us advice about marriage. They nearly got divorced! Twice! And now she comes across as though she’s a saint…
Thomas: I used to think the same, but have you noticed the way they look at each other? The tenderness with which they treat one another—that really is incredible! And my sister has always been a force to be reckoned with.
Margaret: Yes, I have to admit, the way they look at each other is remarkable…
Thomas: Ever since they went on that Marriage in Love Project retreat, they’ve changed so much.
Margaret: Marital Love Project? She sends me the Gospel reflection for married couples every day, but I’ve never even opened it.
Thomas: Well, what if we read it? They say it’s good to read it together, then listen to what the Lord wants to say to us and share it with one another. Why don’t we give it a try?
Margaret: I think that’s a wonderful idea. As soon as you said it, I felt such a deep joy in my heart. I’m going to get my phone right now!
Thomas: Blessed be God! Let’s place ourselves in His presence, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Mother
Help us to recognise in our spouse the means God has given us to journey together towards holiness. Be our model of humility and faith, so that we may receive all the grace the Lord desires to give us. Blessed be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, Your beloved Son! Blessed and praised be He for ever.

Gospel

‘They sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:47–53

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  ‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’
  And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there.

The Gospel of the Lord

The Net of the Kingdom.

We could say that the Church is the visible expression of the Kingdom of Heaven in our earthly lives, casting its net throughout the world to make God’s love known, regardless of who people are, what they do, where they come from or what they believe—offering it to everyone without any conditions. You and I, who were once gathered into that net, are now called to make known what the Lord has done in our lives, without stopping to wonder whether this person or that person deserves it. It is not for us to decide who is worthy or unworthy; in other words, we are not the ones to judge anyone. Rather, we are called to make God’s love known to everyone around us. Pope Leo reminds us in his encyclical that solidarity is the concrete recognition that each person’s destiny is bound up with the destiny of everyone else, that “no one is saved alone”. How much more, then, should you and I show solidarity with those who do not yet know God and make known what the Lord is doing in our lives, freely giving what we ourselves have freely received.
We must do the same within our marriage, continually casting the net so that our spouse is always close to us, revealing through them and in them the love of God that dwells within us, and together making that love visible to the world. At times, sin can build a wall between husband and wife, but through that net—the love of God alive within us—we are urged and strengthened to welcome our spouse in every circumstance, just as we promised on our wedding day: in times of joy and in times of sorrow, all the days of our lives. In this way, we make God’s love present within us and reveal it to the world, rejoicing in the knowledge that Christ makes Himself known through us.

Applied to Married Life

Amelia: Sometimes I wonder whether we’re really doing enough in response to everything we’ve received.
Paul: Amelia, I’m the opposite. Sometimes I feel as though we’re doing too much and leaving too little time for our own lives.
Amelia: Perhaps, but those things will always be there. What worries me is that we’re becoming too comfortable in our way of life. It’s a wonderful life, but we’ve received so much since discovering that our marriage is the greatest gift we have, and that we have so much to show the world through it.
Paul: I don’t understand why you’re worried. We never stop! We’re constantly coming and going—from this parish to that one—without ever complaining, always saying yes whenever we’re asked to help.
Amelia: Yes, I know, and we do it gladly. But I’m thinking of something deeper. We’ve received a wonderful sacrament in which Christ continually makes Himself present, yet sometimes I feel we don’t speak about it enough. It’s almost as though we’re waiting for someone to ask us before we share it.
Paul: I have to tell you that I think you’re worrying unnecessarily. God’s love is constantly made visible in you through me, and in me through you—every time we welcome one another, gently correct one another, or overlook those little faults that we don’t particularly like in each other. The Lord works within us through these small things, preparing us to make Him known to the world afterwards.
Amelia: Thank you, Paul. The Lord speaks through you and helps me to see what my own sin hides from me. You’re absolutely right.
Paul: And thank you. Through your patience and perseverance you’ve helped to transform my heart, and I’ve learned to see Christ in everything you do, even when I don’t always understand it.

Mother:
Help us to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the whole world through the presence of Your Son made visible in our marriage. Blessed and praised be God.

Gospel

‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.’
From the Gospel according to John 11:19-27

At that time: Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother, Lazarus. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Martha’s Waiting

What if God wants to give us something far greater than what we are asking for? Martha is heartbroken by the death of her brother and reproaches Jesus for not arriving in time. Yet Jesus does not respond by justifying Himself or by rushing to perform the miracle. Before raising Lazarus, Jesus wants to lead Martha to a deeper faith. That is why, before granting her the gift, He reveals who He is: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” First, He gives Himself; then He gives the gift. Martha wanted her brother back—a deeply human desire—but Jesus first wanted to win her heart by revealing who He was, so that her faith would not depend on circumstances. For the miracle would pass, Lazarus would die again, but faith in Christ would sustain her for the rest of her life. What a wonderful divine pedagogy!
So often in our marriage or in our spiritual life, we seek what God can do for us: to solve a problem, to change a situation, to relieve our suffering… Jesus does not dismiss our prayers; He listens to them with tenderness. But often, before changing our circumstances, He wants to teach us to live with hearts resting in Him. When Christ occupies the centre of our lives, our circumstances may not change immediately, but our hearts do—and with them, the way we live through those circumstances. Then even waiting becomes a place of encounter with Him.

Applied to Married Life:

Luke: We’ve been praying for our daughter for more than a year now, for this painful situation, and everything is still the same… I just don’t understand…
Margaret: Neither do I, Luke. It breaks my heart that the Lord doesn’t seem to act. So often I say to Him, “Lord, where are You? You’re too late! How can You allow this to happen?”
Luke: Perhaps the Lord wants to give us something even greater.
Margaret: Something greater? Forgive me, but I can’t imagine what could possibly be greater than having our daughter back.
Luke: That’s what I want too. And I’ll never stop praying for it. But perhaps, while we’re waiting for that miracle, the Lord is already working another one within us: teaching us to trust Him more, helping us to discover that He has not abandoned our daughter, that He loves her even more than we do, teaching us not to live as slaves to fear… and allowing us to experience an intimacy with Him that we would never have known without this trial.
Margaret: Thank you, Luke… You’ve just opened my eyes. This situation may last for some time, or it may be resolved tomorrow, but learning to trust, to wait and to walk with Christ… that is a gift no one can ever take away from us.
Luke: Exactly. And remember, Jesus did raise Lazarus in the end. He did not refuse them the very thing they longed for, but first He wanted to give them something that no one could ever take away: a faith firmly rooted in Him.

Mother,
when we do not understand God’s timing, remind us that He is never late, and teach us to wait in a different way. Blessed and praised are You for ever!

Gospel

‘Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.’
From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:36-43

At that time: Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Look at the Wheat!

In our hearts, both the wheat and the weeds grow together, and so they also coexist within our marriage. Between us there are acts of self-giving, forgiveness and tenderness, but pride, impatience, criticism and selfishness also appear. Let us not be so scandalised by the weeds we discover in our spouse’s heart, because they are growing in ours as well. The temptation is to want to pull up our spouse’s weeds straight away—to correct them, change them or make demands of them—when the first conversion the Lord asks of me is the conversion of my own heart. Jesus, however, does not begin by pulling out the evil. He begins by sowing good wheat. He transforms the heart from within, filling it with goodness until that goodness gradually overcomes and drives out the evil. God did not design our vocation so that we would become judges of one another, but so that we might cooperate with Christ, allowing His grace to make the wheat grow ever stronger while the weeds have less and less room to flourish. Today the Lord invites us to stop looking obsessively at the weeds in our spouse’s heart and to learn instead to contemplate the wheat that He Himself has sown there. Christ never loses hope in any of us. He continues to believe in the work He has begun, and He never grows weary of sowing. Let us show our spouse the same patience that the Lord shows us. Let us trust in the power of the seed, even while it is still small. Let us wait, accompany, forgive and love while God brings to growth what we so often fail to see. If we remain close to Christ, listening to His Word, putting it into practice and allowing ourselves to be transformed by His grace, the day will come when our marriage too will reflect His light. Then we shall understand that every moment of waiting, every struggle, every sacrifice and every effort to love was worthwhile. For the destiny to which God calls us goes far beyond merely putting up with one another or getting along well together. He calls us to live a love between us that transforms us and enables us to shine with Him for ever. Take heart! Let us never grow weary of sowing, of waiting and of loving. This is the way!

Applied to Married Life

Catherine: I look back and remember how we began this journey. There was a time when everything I saw in you seemed bad. I found it so difficult to recognise anything good in you.
Luke: It was the same for me, Catherine. We spent many years living badly and hurting one another. When our mentor couple encouraged us to look for the good in each other, I used to think, “What am I supposed to appreciate? She only wants to make my life difficult.” I was so blind!
Catherine: I was blind too. I was convinced that the solution to our marriage depended on you changing. And what’s more, I believed that change was impossible.
Luke: How much we suffered because we didn’t know how to love! Our lack of faith made us live with constant demands, criticism and judgement of one another. And that path leads only to destruction. It sounds so simple to say, yet so difficult to do: to stop focusing constantly on what the other person does wrong and begin giving thanks for and appreciating all the good that is truly there.
Catherine: That’s why we now have to be so patient with the couples we accompany. Sometimes I think they don’t believe us. I see them looking at us as though, for them, it’s impossible to reach a happy ending. But we once believed exactly the same.
Luke: That’s true. We thank God for the mentor couple He placed in our path. Despite everything they saw and all the pain we went through, they never gave up on us. They never stopped trusting, praying and proclaiming to us, again and again, the path that leads to love.
Catherine: And that’s exactly what we will do for the couples we accompany. We will never stop trusting in God’s work within their marriages. We will pray for them, walk alongside them and continue proclaiming that, with God’s grace, there is always hope.
Luke: Even if they can’t see it yet.
Catherine: Even if they believe it’s impossible.
Luke: Because God can make all things new.
Catherine: And now we’re going to pray the Rosary for them!

Mother,
We place into your hands the couples who are beginning this journey. Grant them faith, hope and perseverance, so that they may never give up. Praised be the patience of the Lord! Praised be His Holy Name!