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To Abolish? Reflection for marriages Matthew 5:17–19

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:17–19
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.
He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.
But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

To Abolish?
How often do we try to abolish or discard the commands of the Gospel that don’t align with how we prefer to live?
But any effort we make to enter into Your dynamic of love, to conform ourselves to Your Heart, is what will help us become truly one here on earth.
The fullness of love is to love without measure — it is the Cross. This is Your law: to die to myself and give myself for my neighbour, for my “nearest” — my spouse — just as You gave Yourself for Your Bride, the Church.

Applied to Married Life
Toni: That homily was tough to hear today. The priest watered down the message of the Gospel under the guise of compassion.
Sandra: Yes, it was painful to see how the value of the indissolubility of the Sacrament of Marriage was diminished.
Toni: I’m sure he’s doing what he believes is right, so let’s not judge him. After all, he’s given his life fully to the Lord, holding nothing back. What do you say — should we pray for him?
Sandra: I think that’s a wonderful idea, Toni. Maybe we could also invite him to have lunch with us and the kids, if that sounds good to you. It’s amazing how much the truth of the Gospel has been transforming us — thanks to the sacraments and prayer! In the past, we might have agreed with him… or just spent the whole afternoon criticising him.
Toni: Exactly, Sandra. May we never hinder the truth of the Holy Spirit. Praise be to the Lord!

Mother,
Teach us to be docile to the Holy Spirit. Be our model and our guide.
Thank you for loving us so much!

Light in the World. Reflection for marriages Matthew 5:13–16

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:13–16
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Light in the World
The sacrament of Matrimony is a gift received from God — a calling to be light in the midst of the world. Through our marriage, God calls us to make Himself known. He is present between us, uniting and enlightening us. Let us not waste this great gift, but instead make His love known to all.

We are light in our everyday lives — a visible manifestation of God’s love in the world. Let it be evident that Christ is present in us, and may we fill the world with light through our Sacrament. Simply by living out our marriage, we are changing the world and giving glory to God. Let us take advantage of the power Christ has entrusted to us.

 

Applied to Married Life
Inés: Hi, darling. I wasn’t expecting you so early — weren’t you meeting up with Pablo?
Pedro: Yes… and honestly, I’m a bit discouraged.
Inés: Oh no, what happened? Did things go badly?
Pedro: Yes. I just don’t see how to help him. It’s heartbreaking — he’s convinced his marriage is beyond saving. He’s given up completely.
Inés: I think you should be certain that you’ve already brought him a lot of light. Don’t forget that God works through us. I’m sure he’ll try again.
Pedro: You should’ve seen him. There was no getting through. They once loved each other deeply, but over time they drifted apart — just by thinking too much about themselves.
Inés: Well, don’t forget — even without realizing it, we’re shedding light on those around us. We have a sacrament that makes God’s love visible in the world, and that always leaves a mark, even if it’s not obvious at first.
Pedro: You’re absolutely right. The best thing we can do is keep loving each other well, and let our marriage bring life to theirs. Let’s invite them over for a coffee — maybe our joy can be contagious. I love your idea. You’re amazing.
Inés: No — we’re amazing. Together, we’re amazing. And we’re changing the world by revealing God through our marriage. I love you so much.
Mother,
Thank you. Help us always keep our lamp burning bright, that we may shine the light of God upon the world.
Blessed are you forever!

Indispensable. Reflection for marriages John 19:25–34

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Gospel of the Day

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John (19:25–34)
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He said to His mother,
“Woman, behold thy son.”
After that, He said to the disciple,
“Behold thy mother.”
And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own.
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said:
“I thirst.”
Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to His mouth.
When Jesus therefore had taken the vinegar, He said:
“It is finished.”
And bowing His head, He gave up the spirit.
Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation (so that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath, for that sabbath was a great day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with Him.
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
But one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection – “Indispensable”
Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, all Christians celebrate the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. The last great “treasure” Jesus gives us before dying on the cross is His very own Mother.
I contemplate this awe-inspiring scene in which you entrust us to Mary’s care. You knew, Lord, how much we would need a good Mother. Surely the best thing You had on earth was Mary—Your relationship with her, her tenderness, her trust, her companionship, being with her, feeling loved and cared for.
You renounced so much, Lord—where You were born, the loyalty of friends, wealth, comforts… You gave up everything—except Mary. How much You must have loved her! We could say she was indispensable for You.
And how much You love us—that You would entrust us to her care, ask her to love us, guide us, protect us, just as she did for You. Thank You, Lord, for giving us Your very own Mother.
I imagine the joy of John, being able to welcome the Virgin into his home and care for her. What must it have been like to live with Mary? To pray with her, eat with her, hear her memories of life with Joseph and Jesus, even to celebrate the Eucharist with her! Truly astonishing.
Today, we want to welcome you, Mother, into our hearts and into our home, as Saint John did—with all our love and affection. May you be the Queen of our household.

Applied to Married Life
Carmen: I was remembering this morning how many times in our life we’ve experienced the Virgin’s care… If we stop to reflect, it’s incredible! She’s attentive to everything—so many little details, subtle signs—but most of all, I recall our inner struggles. She’s always guided us and protected us from evil… We have so much to learn from her motherhood, especially in caring for our children not just materially, but leading them to Jesus.
Pedro: That’s so true, Carmen. We get too caught up in worldly things—school, sports, nutrition… but Our Mother is mainly concerned with our souls, in drawing us closer to Jesus. What do you think about preparing as a family to consecrate ourselves to the Virgin?
Carmen: I think it’s absolutely essential, love. Let’s put everything in her hands.
 Prayer

Mother,

We welcome you into our home with all our hearts. Be the one who leads us to Jesus.
Thank you, Blessed Mother!

Come In Without Keys.Reflection for marriages John 20:19-23

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From the Gospel according to John 20: 19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

The Gospel of the Lord

Come In Without Keys

So often, like the disciples, we close the doors of our hearts out of fear—fear of being judged by our spouse, fear of criticism, fear of revealing our true selves. We stay silent, we hide what we’re really feeling, and in doing so, we close ourselves off from one another—and also from God and what He wants to do in us.

But when we trust in God’s plan for marriage, we open our hearts and rely on the grace that comes from the sacrament. When we let God lift us up with His strength, He creates a real bond of love between us and with Him. And something beautiful happens: we become more like Christ the Bridegroom. Just as the disciples recognized Jesus by the marks of His sacrifice, Christian spouses see Christ in one another when we give ourselves daily in simple ways: in a drink offered with love, a gentle touch, a kind response after a rough day. In these small and big acts of love, joined with Christ, our human love becomes divine. It becomes eternal and unites us deeply—with each other and with God.

Aplied to Married Life:

Jony: Marta, my love, are you okay?
Martha: (sighs, almost crying): Yes… why?
Jony: I don’t think you are.
Martha: You don’t?
Jony: No, Martha. What’s going on? I can tell something’s not right.
Martha: It’s nothing… really.
Jony: Come on, I know you. Tell me. Lately, you’ve been more irritable with Matt, and this morning you were a bit tough on him—don’t you think?
(Martha starts crying)
Jony: What’s wrong, my love?
Martha: I’m just so tired. It looks like I’ve got everything together, but I don’t… I feel like I should know what to do all the time, but I don’t. I’m especially worried about Matt. He’s going through a tough stage, and I feel worn out and scared we’re not raising him right. I lose my patience, yes—but I don’t know how to do better. You always say I’m a great mom, but most of the time, I feel unsure.
(Jony hugs her; she breaks down)
Jony: You’re not alone, love. We’re in this together—and most importantly, God is with us. There’s no need to fear. Let’s trust that our children belong to Him. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in raising them according to who they are—and then let’s rest in God. Let’s not be afraid. Let’s pray more.
(After a while praying together)
Martha: Thank you, Jony, for helping me open up. I feel a peace now that only comes through you and with God. Thank you for loving me and not judging me. When I see how you love and look at me, I see a glimpse of how God loves me.
Jony: You’re the most beautiful wife, inside and outside,I could ever have.
Martha: Oh, I love you so much.
Jony: I love you even more!

Mother Mary,

Help us, like you, to always trust in God’s plan without fear, and let His work be fulfilled in our marriages and families. May He be praised forever.

You Follow me. Reflection for marriages: John 21:20-25

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From the Gospel according to John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supperand had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?What concern is it of yours?You follow me.”So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,just “What if I want him to remain until I come?What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these thingsand has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.There are also many other things that Jesus did,but if these were to be described individually,I do not think the whole world would contain the booksthat would be written

The Gospel of the Lord

“You, Follow Me”

Lord, You only ask me to follow You. How many times do I compare myself to my husband—what he does or doesn’t do. And worse, how many times do I doubt the wonderful plan You have for me and for my marriage.
You just want me to follow You, and that means looking at my husband through Your eyes of Mercy, not through my own eyes clouded by sin.
I need to learn to trust and to love in difficulty—and what my husband does or doesn’t do, what does that matter to me? You know what is best for him, and for us. Everything is part of the plan You have for us. You only say, “Follow Me and love as I love.”

Applied to Married Life:

Olivia: I compare myself to you so often—all the praying you do, everything you manage to accomplish—and I feel so clumsy in so many things…
Martin: You shouldn’t worry or compare yourself. You know it: the Lord gives each of us different gifts to put at each other’s service. You have gifts I don’t have, and I try to learn from you. I want to use the gifts the Lord has given me to serve you, my wife.
Olivia: You’re right. The temptation to compare myself comes so easily, and I fall into it. Thank you for helping me grow through the qualities God has given you—but you already know how much I need your help, I’m so clumsy. Hahaha.
Martin: Come here, Princess. The Lord only tells us, “You, follow Me”—the rest? What does it matter to you? Hahaha. Look, now that we have some time, let’s sit down and pray together as a couple, and let the Lord show us His plan.

Mother,

Queen of Heaven, lead us to the Heart of Jesus, so that we may love as He loves. Holding Your hand, we will never be lost. Thank You, Mother.