From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:12-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Going out to meet.
How much hope and joy these words of Jesus should stir in us knowing that He came into the world to rescue each one of us, and especially the most lost souls, those for whom He rejoices so greatly once they open their hearts to Him and find their way back to the Father’s house. And for us, are we aware that we become the Lord’s instrument when our spouse is lost and strays from the flock? How do I respond when my spouse is blinded by his sin? Do I go quickly to meet him, moved by the desire to console Jesus by collaborating in His plan of salvation, or do I lose patience, judge him, run away from him…? Jesus goes out in search of that sheep; He does not wait for it to return, but goes to meet it. And that is what we must do with our spouses: give ourselves without measure, regardless of the circumstances, because when my spouse deserves it the least is when Jesus needs me the most.
Applied to Married Life:
Rob has been very stressed at work for some time and, when he gets home, he unloads all his nerves on Jo.
Rob: Hi, I’m home! Is dinner ready? I’m so tired… honestly, I don’t think I can keep this up much longer. I’m exhausted…
Jo (thinking to herself): Here he goes again with that terrible mood! Every day the same. I’m going to lock myself in the kitchen and prepare something so he won’t bother me.
Jo (thinking to herself): Here he goes again with that terrible mood! Every day the same. I’m going to lock myself in the kitchen and prepare something so he won’t bother me.
That night, during their couple’s prayer time:
Rob: Lord, I want to ask You to help me be gentle and humble, but You know that the workload at this time of year overwhelms me. I beg You, come in search of me, like that lost sheep in today’s Gospel. I want to return to You, but I need help.
Jo: Lord, today You show me that You want me to be Your instrument for Rob; You want me to go out to meet him in Your name, giving him my affection and my smile… You want that when he comes home tired and irritable, I don’t hide, but go out to meet him so that he may feel loved by You through me. Forgive me, Lord, because many times I do the opposite… I run away and leave him alone. I ask You to help me persevere in the path of selfless Love.
Rob: I love you, Jo, my angel, you are the engine of my life.
Jo: Lord, today You show me that You want me to be Your instrument for Rob; You want me to go out to meet him in Your name, giving him my affection and my smile… You want that when he comes home tired and irritable, I don’t hide, but go out to meet him so that he may feel loved by You through me. Forgive me, Lord, because many times I do the opposite… I run away and leave him alone. I ask You to help me persevere in the path of selfless Love.
Rob: I love you, Jo, my angel, you are the engine of my life.
Mother,
We ask you that, as happened with Saint Juan Diego, we may become your guardians and remain always by your side.
Glory to the Lord who prepares our hearts for His coming!
Glory to the Lord who prepares our hearts for His coming!