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A Hundredfold. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 19,27-29

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From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt 19, 27-29.

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life”.
 
The Gospel of the Lord

 
A Hundredfold

The Lord always gives us back a hundredfold.
In our lives, our priority must be Him and only Him. It’s true that we have “state obligations,” and by fulfilling them we also serve God. But sometimes the devil tempts us by making us place more importance on earthly things than on divine ones.
In the Gospel, Christ speaks to us about receiving a hundred times more, but we ask ourselves: when we give ourselves to the Lord, do we do it for the reward or out of love? We must give ourselves out of love, expecting nothing in return, because the very act of giving ourselves is already more than a gift (“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20, 35).  Our self-giving should be without measure, as many saints have said throughout history: we must give until it hurts.

Applied to Married Life:

Maria: Honey, could you help me prepare dinner tonight? My afternoon got complicated with work, and I don’t know if I’ll have time.
Karsten: Well… okay, but if I help you today, would you come with me Tuesday night to that dinner with my friends we’ve been postponing?
Maria: Seriously? It’s just that your friends tell some crude jokes, sometimes they go too far, and I feel a bit uncomfortable… That’s why I don’t enjoy those dinners.
Karsten: You’re right, love. Since we’ve been drawing closer to the Lord, those dinners have been hard for me too. People laugh at everything, but in a mean-spirited way… Also, I ask your forgiveness, because I shouldn’t love you with conditions. I’ll roll up my sleeves right now and make a delicious dinner.
Maria: That’s wonderful! You don’t know how much I appreciate it. I just had an idea, what if we change the plan, see what you think… We tell your friends to meet us at the Adoration chapel first on Tuesday, and then we go to dinner. That way, we can start bringing them closer to the Lord.
Karsten: I think that’s a fantastic idea! That way, Jesus will begin transforming their hearts.

Mother,

Help us give ourselves without limits, without conditions, until it hurts.  Glory and praise to the Lord who makes all things possible.

Peace at Home. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 10:7-15

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Gospel

From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt. 10:7-15
Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Peace at Home

In married life, this “being sent” can be understood as the mission we have to bring the Kingdom of God into our home, into our marriage.
We often wait for the other person to change, but we need to be clear: that’s not what Jesus asks of us as husbands or wives. He wants each of us, regardless of how the other is acting, to announce through our actions that the Kingdom is near. He is present and active in the midst of human love, and it’s up to us to show that, first and foremost to our spouse, and then to others.
Do we show that the Kingdom of God is near in the way we look at each other, treat each other, or speak about our spouse,?
Our home is that “house” that can either welcome God’s peace or reject it. Let’s welcome His grace, so that the peace we long for is always present in our marriage.

 
Applied to Married Life:

Sharon: Andy, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the kind of example we give to others. Do you think people can feel the “fragrance of Christ” when they’re around us?
Andy: Honestly? Maybe not. I care too much about what people think, and I’m not really living out the kind of testimony Christ is asking from me.
Sharon: Do you think we act differently in front of God than we do in front of other people? Aren’t we supposed to be an authentic couple that always lives with God in mind?
Andy: Well… now that you mention it and I stop to think about it, I guess I’m not really living that way. I worry too much about appearances. I’m sure I could do a lot better.
Sharon: Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve told everyone you’re doing Confirmation classes, and you’ve shared with a bunch of people that we’re part of Proyecto Amor Conyugal.
Andy: That’s true. Maybe I’m not that bad. [laughs]
Sharon: Andy, you’re not bad at all, and definitely not in God’s eyes. But it’s good that we reflect on these things often. So we don’t forget where we are, where God wants us to be, and what He wants from us, don’t you think?
Andy: Absolutely. Thanks for reminding me, and for reminding me, too, that I’ve already changed for the better by God’s grace. More and more, I’m seeing clearly that you’re exactly what I need to help me get to heaven. Thank you, love.

Mother,

Help me to follow your example of detachment from worldly things, carrying neither silver nor gold, nor extra tunic or sandals, so I can fulfill God’s will. May He be praised forever.

By going out… they Arrived. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 10:1-7

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From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”

The Gospel of the Lord

 

By going out… they Arrived

They went out with His authority to heal… and they were healed. They went out to teach… and they were taught. They went out to do good… and they became saints. They went out to meet other people’s heart, and they arrived at the heart of Christ.
How moving it is to witness today the beginning of the mission. A slow path of learning from immaturity (“That will never happen to You”), through great lights (“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”), through suffering and falls (“I do not know that man”), and above all, full of mercy and repentance (“Yes, Lord, You know that I love You”). A journey toward full communion with His Mystical Body, the Kingdom of Christ.

Married couples, what are you waiting for to respond to the call? Let us go out toward our spouse’s heart and respond like His disciples, showing ourselves as we are, so that He may “do the work.” Let us follow His instructions with faithfulness and trust.

 

Applied to Married Life:

Sarah: Today wasn’t easy. Between the chaos at work, the kids, and our argument this morning… I ended the day exhausted. And yet, something was different in the way you handled it. I saw you calm, attentive. You supported me without saying much.

John: I was tired too. But while I was washing the dishes, the Gospel from this morning’s Mass came to mind, how Jesus sent out the Twelve. And I thought… maybe He’s sending you and me too, right here, in the little things?

Sarah: Us? Like this, just as we are?

John: Yes. To heal when the other is hurt. To be present when one of us feels lost in the tasks. To be that comfort that doesn’t need words. I think when Jesus sends us, it’s not just to preach, it’s to love the way He loves. Often in the unseen.

Sarah: It’s true. I felt so unsettled today… and yet, when I came home and you greeted me with a smile, something inside me calmed down. Isn’t that healing?

John: And when you hugged me at the end of the day, without criticism, I felt renewed. Maybe that’s also part of the authority Jesus gives: the power to do good through small, simple gestures; yet ones that are real.

Sarah: I’m realizing that all it takes is being open to the call. Like the Twelve, who learned as they went.

John: Exactly. We’re on that path too, together, and with Him.

Sarah: So, today we were sent… without even leaving home.

John: And because we were sent, we came a little closer to each other’s heart… and one step closer to the heart of Christ.

 

Mother,

You who, being the Mother of God, became the mother of all humanity guide us on this path.
Praise be to the Lord. He is the Way.

The Mute Praised the Lord. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 9:33-38

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From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt. 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Mute Praised the Lord

Fifteen days ago, we celebrated the birth of John the Baptist and saw how Zechariah doubted the Word of the Lord and became mute until he did what the Lord had commanded. Then he regained his voice and praised the Lord.
In us, too, the devil enters through suspicion. How many spouses are mute and do not praise the Lord because they have doubts about their marriage! And how many, by contemplating the beauty of marriage as God intended it to be, by rediscovering our spouse as the most valuable gift God has given to us, and discovering the greatness of our sacrament, have regained our voice and now praise the Lord. We cannot remain mute.
Spouses, you who have witnessed the Lord’s miracles in your lives! Now is the time to work in His harvest, proclaiming the Gospel of marriage and family, and bringing Jesus to the exhausted and abandoned marriages, so that He may heal them.

Applied to Married Life:

John: Yesterday I saw your brother looking quite sad. I don’t know… it seems like things aren’t going well with his wife. I think we should talk to them and invite them to a Marital Love Project retreat. What do you think?

Lola: I don’t know, he’s always like that… but maybe you’re right and I haven’t noticed…

John: More than that, I see him—just like the Gospel says—exhausted and abandoned, like a sheep without a shepherd. He needs to recover his joy.

Lola: Oh John, I love you so much… you’re so compassionate! You always put yourself in others’ shoes and look for a way to help and ease their suffering. I learn so much from you!

John: Well, Lola… you too… you’re always willing to listen, and you welcome what I propose.

Lola: I’ll call him right now and invite them over for dinner tomorrow so we can talk peacefully and invite them to a retreat so they can discover what marriage is like as God intended it to be.

John: What a joy it is to work together in the Lord’s harvest!

Mother,

Teach us and help us to have a compassionate heart like Yours and that of Your Son. Blessed are you, Mother!

She will live! Reflection for marriages. Matthew 9:18-26

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Gospel
From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt, 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “”My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “”If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “”Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”” And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “”Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 
She will live!

What incredible faith from the leader of the Jews and the woman with the hemorrhage. They’re such a powerful example for us because when things get hard, our tendency (due to the original sin) is to doubt and blame the one closest to us… usually our spouse.
Lord, we want to trust in You. We believe that everything happening in our lives is part of Your plan to bring us together to Heaven. Today I hear You telling me: “Courage! Your faith will save your husband, your children, and your children’s children…” Thank You, Lord, for everything!
Applied to married life:

Rob: Helen, are you okay? You look kind of tense.
Helen: Oh, Rob… You know me so well. I’ve been worried all day.
Rob: What’s going on? Come here and tell me.
Helen: Don’t worry, you’re watching the game. You deserve a break, you’ve been with the kids all afternoon.
Rob: I’m turning off the TV right now. You’re way more important. Seriously, talk to me.
Helen: I just talked to my brother. His heart is so closed off… I’m really worried about him. He went through a really tough situation. It has now resolved in a miraculous way but instead of seeing God’s hand in it, it just made him shut down even more. I don’t know what to do. My mum’s really suffering too.
Rob: That’s rough. I get why you’re worried. But you already talked to him, and you’re showing him your faith how it has changed your life. Maybe now it’s just about trusting in God’s timing. It’s not always the same as ours. Let’s pray for him, for his heart to open. Can you imagine the kind of impact he could have when he finally turns to God?
Helen: Thank you, Rob. I really needed that spiritual perspective. You truly are my “suitable helper.” I love you so much! Thank You, Lord! Thank You for blessing me with such a wonderful husband.

 
Mother,

Thank You, thank You, thank You for your YES, and for calling us to this beautiful Project of Marital Love. It’s completely changed how we see everything and our whole life. We’re here for whatever You need. Praised be Your Son, in whom we trust completely.