Irresistible Mercy. Reflection for married couples. Luke 6, 6-11

GOSPEL
Is it against the law on the sabbath to save life?
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Lk 6:6-11
On the sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ And he came out and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?’ Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was better. But they were furious, and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Irresistible Mercy

Lord, Your mercy is stronger than our ill intentions, stronger than accusation, sin, and sickness. So, what stops You from fully invading my heart? It is me. Sometimes I distrust, or I’m simply looking the other way.
Wherever You go, You heal, restore, and nourish. The Pharisees knew You wouldn’t be able to resist healing that sick man. And I know You can’t resist healing me.
Fill me with Your mercy, so that in those moments when my spouse is consumed by darkness or sin, I can still see the precious pearl that remains within them.

Applied to Married Life:

James: (Praying) Lord, once again, my wife is being unbearable. She’s harsh, demanding, with that look on her face… But I know You have an irresistible desire for mercy. Fill me with You, Lord, fill me with Your love so I can see her worth in this moment and, with Your love, calm her fire and her anguish. Here, as I kneel before You in the Blessed Sacrament, I ask You to fill me with Your love. I want to give her what You want to give her. I know she’s going through a time of trouble, and You want to help her. Make me Your instrument—help me bring peace to her anxiety, joy to her sadness, and hope to her frustration. Fill me, Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, fill me with Your mercy. Praise be to You, Lord.
(And he returned home, and the Lord allowed him to be an instrument of His mercy, and James experienced just how much God loved his wife.)

Mother
,

What great hope we find in knowing Christ, His feelings, His motivations. He cannot help but love me, cannot help but forgive me, cannot help but heal me. How much I long to act this way with my spouse! Praise be to the Lord who has a great heart for love.

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