Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Dying with Joy

In today’s first reading, Saint Paul exhorts us to give cheerfully. In our marriage, we must discover the joy of giving ourselves completely to our spouse. We are called to die to our own way of thinking, our preferences, our pride and self-love, so that the seed of God’s Kingdom may grow within our hearts and our home.

If we do this reluctantly or merely out of obligation, what kind of fruit will it bear? We all know the answer from experience. This does not mean that self-giving is easy, but rather that we can have the peace of knowing we are living according to our vocation. Little by little, the Lord transforms our hearts.

Only through God’s grace can we die with joy. Let us ask Him for that grace.

Applied to Married Life

Peter: I don’t understand why you’re so unhappy! I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. I come home early, I’ve sold my motorbike, I no longer spend all morning cycling… I hardly recognise myself anymore! And yet it still doesn’t seem to be enough.

Lucy: Peter, but you keep bringing those things up whenever we talk, and you do it with such resignation and sadness that it feels as though you’re not grateful for the life we have together.

Peter: It’s just so difficult, Lucy. I was deeply attached to all of that, and I’m constantly reminded of everything I’ve given up. Sometimes those sacrifices leave me feeling bitter, and I even wonder whether it’s all worth it.

Lucy: It’s always harder at the beginning. I struggle too. During prayer, I ask the Lord to enlighten me so that I can see that this renunciation, this dying to myself, is what makes our union possible. It is my response to my vocation as your wife.

Peter: You’re right. Too often I rely on my own strength instead of turning to the Lord. I also fail to notice the beauty that is growing in our marriage. That’s where I need to keep my eyes fixed: on the Lord and on the vocation He has given us.

Mother,

Help us to die to everything that separates us from the love of God and from our vocation as husband and wife.

Praised be God!