Gospel of the Day

From the Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Love That Goes Beyond Reason

The Pharisee compares himself to others and “thanks God for how good he is,” stepping into a world of duties and achievements — where everything has a price… and every one else, his contempt.
The tax collector, on the other hand, looks within and trusts in God’s goodness — the doorway to a life of gift and grace.
And we, couples of Proyecto Amor Conyugal — what about us? Are we Pharisees, grateful because we’re “doing well” and have “already arrived”? Or do we still long for more?

Applied to married life :

Luis: Today, during prayer, God stirred something very deep in my heart.
Moira: Really? What happened?
Luis: When we did the Proyecto Amor Conyugal retreat, we began a journey that truly rescued us. But I feel Christ is asking for something more. We live a good, responsible faith… but maybe one that’s become too reasonable. We seek our own good, and that’s fine. But…
Moira: But what?
Luis: What about His heart? I realize I’ve been focused on our well-being. But how is His heart?
Moira: God is amazing… you’ve just confirmed something that’s been on my mind, and I asked Him for a sign. You just gave it to me.
Luis: Really?
Moira: Yes. Being so focused on our spiritual journey has made us a bit self-centered. Sometimes, without meaning to, we even judge those who don’t live like we do.
Luis: Without realizing it, we’ve been living our marriage according to our own plans. We need to make room for Him — to step out of our logic, stay more attuned to Him, and respond to what He asks of us.
Moira: Let’s pray then, so He can show us the “next steps.”
Luis: (laughs) Sounds like you just came out of a work meeting.

Mother,

teach us to “desire more,” for our hearts long for the infinite, and only your Son can fulfill that longing.
Blessed and praised forever be Jesus, who redeemed us with His Blood.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileanswhose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.He said to them in reply,“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this waythey were greater sinners than all other Galileans?By no means!But I tell you, if you do not repent,you will all perish as they did!Or those eighteen people who were killedwhen the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guiltythan everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?By no means!But I tell you, if you do not repent,you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,he said to the gardener,‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig treebut have found none.So cut it down.Why should it exhaust the soil?’He said to him in reply,‘Sir, leave it for this year also,and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;it may bear fruit in the future.If not you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Lord’s Patience

In this Gospel, we see some people coming to tell Jesus what others, in their opinion, have done wrong. It’s quite likely that, deep in their hearts, they’ve already judged and condemned them. This scene might feel familiar to us. How many times have I gone to Jesus —almost in an accusatory tone— to tell Him about the pain I feel because of something my spouse has done? To point out what, in my view, they’ve done wrong?

But Jesus doesn’t linger on the accusation. Instead, He uses the moment to challenge us with a powerful question: Do you think your spouse is more sinful than you? Do you believe you’re better simply because you haven’t fallen into the same sin? And then He tells us: You are not —so repent, or you too will perish.

At first, His words may sound harsh. Yet the Lord invites us to conversion with infinite patience. Even though He knows that, because of our lukewarmness, our comfort, or our selfishness —for whatever reason— we may have gone a long time without bearing the fruit He expects, He never gives up on us. He always wants to give us another chance, just like the fig tree in the parable.

His hope is placed in us; He never counts us as lost. That’s why Jesus asks the Father to grant our marriage another opportunity. If He hasn’t given up on my marriage or on my spouse, how could I? No, Lord. I want to work with You so that our marriage may bear abundant fruit.

Applied to Marriaged Life :

Victor: Why does everything have to be so difficult, Martha?
Martha: What do you mean, Victor?
Victor: I mean, even though we go to Mass almost every day now, and we pray together regularly, life doesn’t seem any easier. In fact, it feels like things keep getting harder. Now the kids complain that we spend less time with them.
Martha: Well, Jesus never said life would be easier —at least not from a human perspective. Remember, He said He didn’t come to bring peace but division. And He told us we’d only be worthy of Him if we carried our daily cross.
Victor:Yes, that’s true… but still, wouldn’t it help if external things went a little smoother?
Martha: Are you sure about that? During my prayer today, something struck me in the parable of the barren fig tree. The Lord says that to see if it will bear fruit, He’ll dig around it and spread  fertilizer-not flowers or something beautiful, but fertilizer.
Victor: And? I’m not sure what you’re getting at.
Martha: Think about it —to make the tree bear fruit, He doesn’t put flowers or pretty decorations around it. He uses fertilizer—something that smells bad, something unpleasant, but rich in nutrients. It made me realize that, in our marriage, the “fertilizer” God gives us often comes in the form of trials and difficulties. Because it’s through them that our love grows stronger. We don’t grow when everything’s easy; we grow when we face challenges together and overcome them side by side.
Victor: I see now —the fertilizer represents all the things we dislike, but that the Lord allows so we can strengthen our marriage.
Martha: Exactly.
Victoe: Thank you, Martha, for helping me see how much the Lord loves us —even when He sends us trials. I love you.
Martha: Thanks be to God, who helps us grow in love. I love you even more.

Mother,

teach us to recognize God’s will even in our difficulties. Help us trust that He is a loving Father who always sends what is best for us —even when we don’t understand it. And like you, may we always say “yes” to His will.

Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! Praised be the Lord forever!

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,”When you see a cloud rising in the westyou say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the southyou say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.You hypocrites!You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,make an effort to settle the matter on the way;otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,and the judge hand you over to the constable,and the constable throw you into prison.I say to you, you will not be releaseduntil you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Will It Rain This Weekend?

These days we rely more and more on weather forecasts that can tell us, at least a week ahead, whether it’ll rain or not — and usually, they’re right. That makes it easy to plan our weekends. We no longer have to look to the west or check which way the wind is blowing. Everything’s served to us on a silver platter, so we barely need to think anymore.

But maybe that’s part of the problem. It’s also becoming harder to tell what’s truly right or wrong, and we end up just going along with whatever society or the tv says is best for us. What a terrible mistake! The Lord reminds us that we won’t leave there until we’ve paid the very last penny.

Husbands and wives, how much do we still owe for not living the Gospel with integrity?

Applied to Married Life

Ed: Hey, Lucy! How was your day? What a downpour! And of course, I forgot my umbrella. I’m soaked!
Lucy: Oh, Ed! Go take a hot shower and get changed — you’ll catch a cold, and you’re getting everything wet.
Ed: Ah, that feels so much better now that I’m dry. Need a hand with dinner?
Lucy: Thanks, it’s almost ready. I was just sitting here thinking and thanking the Lord. Do you remember when I used to call you my weatherman? You were glued to the news and the weather reports, always checking your phone. We went out perfectly prepared for the rain or cold, but we never had time to pray or just sit and talk as a family.
Ed: Oh, I remember. We’ve changed so much since we went on the Project for conjugal love retreat and started praying together every day. And you’ve stopped watching all those gossip shows that were so toxic.
Lucy: Ugh, don’t remind me. Now when I visit my mom and she has them on, I can’t believe how much time I used to waste on that nonsense. You know, I even confessed for spending so many hours in front of the TV!
Ed: You’re amazing, you know that? You have such a beautiful soul. Let’s eat — I can’t wait to do our prayer together.

Mother

Thank you for everything. We know that you gently guide us, with a loving hand, into the presence of your Son, giving each of us what we need at every moment. We pray for all marriages and families going through dark times. Here we are, ready to help you lead them to Him.
Blessed and praised be He!

Gospel