At times, the commandments may seem to us like a series of rules that limit our freedom and prevent us from doing what we feel like doing. But the opposite is true: they help us to become better before God and before others, because they are founded upon the Love of God. To fulfil what the Lord asks in His commandments, we have the example of our Mother. To do this: listen to the Word in the depths of your soul, keep it in your heart as one keeps a treasure, meditate upon it, savour it, and that very Word, which comes from the Son of God, when meditated upon and savoured, gradually becomes fulfilled in our life. Little by little, like a seed that germinates, it fills everything with the Love of God. The Lord speaks to us of keeping His commandments so that His joy may be in us, and that our joy may be complete. In marriage, the search for happiness characterises us as beings created in the image of God, and we cannot renounce this. Indeed, our spouse and those around us need us to be happy. If there is one thing we must never doubt regarding God’s will for us, it is that God desires us to be joyful. Happiness is found in the Love of God, and to renounce that Love would be to lose ourselves.

Charlotte: What do you think about me picking you up from your office tomorrow after work, and then we could go out for something together?
Arthur: But it’ll end up being late, and honestly, with how tired I am, I’m not sure it’s a good idea.
Charlotte: Oh, come on, cheer up. It would do us good to break out of the routine a little and spend some time together, setting work and family obligations aside for a while.
Arthur: But how is it possible that you still feel like doing that after such an intense day at work? Besides, we have the children at home, and it’ll just delay everything else that needs doing.
Charlotte: The children are sleeping at my sister’s house tonight. They were really looking forward to spending the night with their cousins, and tomorrow they’re all going to school together. So there’s no rush for us to get home.
Arthur: I find it hard to understand that joy you seem to show all the time, whether things are going well or badly.
Charlotte: But it’s quite the opposite. The joy I have has come since I began frequenting the sacraments and discovering the good that exists in everything, in everyone, and in every circumstance. It’s true what they say: every cloud has a silver lining — we simply have to learn how to see it.
Arthur: Are you seriously telling me that all this comes from going to daily Mass and speaking to a priest?
Charlotte: Not everything, but through that I’ve discovered that it’s not others who need to change — it’s me. And as I change, I can help transform others through what I myself am receiving. Yes, I’ve gradually come to realise this as I’ve drawn closer to God.
Arthur: Well then, let’s see if you can help me realise what I need to change — though perhaps you’d better start with my boss, because he’s been making my life miserable lately.
Charlotte: That part only you can do. Why don’t you start by coming with me? Even if it’s only from time to time. You’ll soon see the results. Without even noticing, the Lord will begin to change the way you see things, and somehow He’ll transform that sadness into joy — a joy you’ll end up spreading everywhere.
Arthur: The way you’re saying all this, I’m already looking forward to you picking me up tomorrow so that some of your joy can rub off on me.

Mother,

Teach us to keep and fulfil everything that comes from your Son with the joy of being children of God. Blessed and praised be the Lord.