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With both at once. Reflection for marriages Luke 2:36-40

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Gospel of the Day

Reading from the holy gospel according to Luke 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
With both at once.
In the time of the prophetess Anna, one could not be married and be with God at the same time. She was married for 7 years and then served in the temple with God. Today, however, we can be married and be with God because the Lord is among us. And we can be witnesses of His presence in our Marriage. What joy it is to be with my husband and to have God present among us at the same time.
Grounded in Married Life:
Rolando: Carina, lately I have been experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit among us so strongly… It’s incredible.
Carina: I don’t experience it as much. I’m used to being in the Lord’s presence alone, but not so much with you, Rolando.
Rolando: Would you like to be in the Lord’s presence while we’re holding hands? 
Carina: Yes, I would love to.
(They entered into the Lord’s presence, and both experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit among them, giving testimony to all the spouses around them).
Mother,
Thank you for being in our lives and bringing us closer to the Lord together. Praise be to God.

Learning Through suffering.Reflection for marriages Luke 2: 41-52

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GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to Luke 2:41-52
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.  When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.  After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
The Gospel of the Lord
Learning Through suffering
This Gospel anticipates what will happen when Jesus’ appointed hour arrives. At 12 years old, Jesus had reached the age of accountability to observe the law. His Mother was separated from Him for three days, unable to understand what was happening, yet Jesus was focused on His Father’s mission. Mary, who treasured all these events in her heart, surely reflected on them later during the Passion and death of her Son.
Applied to Married Life:
Vanessa :Emilio, today I feel like I’ve been living within Mary’s heart.
Emilio: What makes you say that?
Vanessa: Because nothing that happened to me this morning made sense. I was so eager to attend the Eucharist, especially since it’s the anniversary of my consecration. But first, you asked me to join you, and then to have coffee together. By the time I finished, it was too late, and I couldn’t make it. I felt so upset.
Emilio: And how does that connect to the Virgin Mary?
Vanessa: It connects because I realized that it was God’s will for me to offer this sacrifice as an act of love for you. At first, I didn’t understand, but I kept it in my heart until it became clear.
Emilio: I see now. It’s about choosing love as the priority and trusting that whatever happens is part of God’s plan, even if it seems difficult.
Vanessa: Exactly! Thank you for putting it so clearly.
Emilio: Thank you for loving me so much. Should we go to Mass together tomorrow?
Vanessa :But you never go during the week… This is such a wonderful surprise! Thank you, Lord.
Mother Mary,
How many trials you endured. You, too, learned obedience through suffering. Praise be to God!

Obedience without understanding. Reflection for marriages Matthew 2:13-18.

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GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,”Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,and stay there until I tell you.Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.He stayed there until the death of Herod,that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,he became furious.He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under,in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,sobbing and loud lamentation;Rachel weeping for her children,and she would not be consoled,since they were no more.

The Gospel of the Lord

Obedience without understanding

St. Joseph obeyed without fully understanding the situation. Protect the Savior of the world? It seemed absurd—it should have been the other way around. Yet, without hesitation, he responded immediately. Was this blind obedience? Not at all; it was an act of deep trust in the One who surpasses all understanding. Those who obey faithfully cannot be led astray. It’s often said that obedience is the one refuge where the enemy cannot enter.

Applied to married life:

Omar: I don’t understand why we’re facing this challenge. But if God has allowed it, then it must have a purpose.
Patricia: Exactly, Omar. We don’t need to have all the answers. What matters is that we love through these circumstances and stay devoted to serving Our Mother.
Omar: Thank you, Patricia, for encouraging me to stay faithful to God’s plan and to embrace His will with joy.
Patricia: And thank you, Omar, for leading the way in trusting God’s will. Praise be to the Lord.
Omar: Praise Him forever. I love you.

Holy Mother,

No one understands better than you how you endured such moments. Though you were the Immaculate One, you submitted to Joseph, as to Christ, in those decisions. Thank you, Blessed Mother.

Always Filled with Joy. Reflection for marriages John 20:1a and 2-8

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GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to John 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

The Gospel of the Lord

Always Filled with Joy

Today we honor the feast of St. John the Evangelist, the apostle who humbly refers to himself as “the one Jesus loved.” How inspiring it is to live with this awareness! If we truly understood how profoundly Christ loves us, it would be so much harder to offend Him—meaning, to sin.
This realization would transform everything: I would feel constant joy in the spouse God has entrusted to me, in my work, my children, my life, and my community.
Every sin originates from doubting God’s love. As St. John Paul II so wisely taught.

Applied to married life:

John: Fiorella, you’ve seemed so joyful lately—what’s your secret?
Fiorella: It’s Christmas, my dear husband, and my heart rejoices in God.
John: But how do you stay so positive through challenges? Just today, for example, the baby’s crying kept us awake all night.
Fiorella: Because I’m confident in God’s love. Today, He allowed me to share in the sleeplessness He endures for His Church, which groans in labor pains awaiting redemption. I embraced this gift with gratitude and joy.

Holy Mother,

In you, we live, move, and have our being. Hold us in your Heart and bring us to new life in Heaven. Amen.

I don’t even think about It. Reflection for marriages Matthew 10:17-22

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From the Gospel according to Matthew 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples:”Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues,and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.When they hand you over,do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.You will be given at that moment what you are to say.For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.Brother will hand over brother to death,and the father his child;children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.You will be hated by all because of my name,but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

The Gospel of the Lord

I don’t even think about it.

Today, we honor Saint Stephen, who fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy exactly: betrayed and stoned by his own Jewish brothers. Why? Pride and envy—they couldn’t match his wisdom in debate. The first reading describes it this way: “They were furious in their hearts and gnashed their teeth in anger.”

In such moments, the Lord doesn’t want us to rely on our own thoughts, as our reasoning often differs from God’s. Instead, He desires the Holy Spirit to take charge and speak through us. This is what happened with Stephen, who praised God and peacefully surrendered his spirit while being stoned to death by his enraged brothers. Have you ever felt the sting of hatred from someone you love?

Applied to married life

Connie: Greg, have you ever let the Holy Spirit take control in situations where others are against you?
Greg: Yes, a few times. I’m always amazed at how I act and speak with a love that I could never manage on my own. It leaves me with an overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and hope. You know, Connie? It’s like a miraculous shift in my perspective, similar to the talks we give during retreats.
Connie: That’s so beautiful, Greg. I’ve seen you react in ways that make it seem like God’s glory surrounds you and fills you with His grace. You’re an inspiration to me when you love in moments where love isn’t returned.
Connie: All glory to God, Greg. All glory to Him.

Prayer:

Lord, may we stop relying on our own defenses and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and act through us. Praise to the Holy Spirit of God!