Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

At that time, all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to listen to Jesus. But the Pharisees and the scribes were murmuring, saying:
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus told them this parable:
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that belongs to me.’ So the father divided his property between them.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and set off for a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in reckless living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that land, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill himself with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Then he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough to eat, and here I am starving to death! I will arise and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired servants.”’
So he arose and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him tenderly.
The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. As he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
The servant said, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’
The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. But it was right to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

In a Spectacular Way

The Lord comes to reveal the heart of the Father, and this Gospel is especially fitting for that purpose, as we contemplate the Father’s response to both of His sons.
Let me learn to look upon the lost sheep with the same Love with which He looks upon all His children.

Applying It to Married Life

Teresa: I suggested to my husband that we go on a retreat, and he said no—that he’s fed up with retreats and Church stuff, and just wants to stay home. In prayer, the Lord gave me a glimpse of His mercy, and I went out to meet my husband with a desire to delight him, to welcome him in his weakness. He felt truly loved. I don’t know if he’ll come to the retreat or not, but this moment brought us closer. Glory to God!
Luis: This afternoon, my wife wouldn’t stop correcting and reproaching me—even insulted me. But with God’s grace, I sat down with her and tried to understand where her pain was coming from. She told me she didn’t feel important to me. So I began to treat her like a queen, until she truly felt loved. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but today, this situation has drawn us together. Glory to God!

Mother,

Today, I only want to praise God for the many times I have failed Him—spectacularly, shamefully—and yet He has come out to meet me, has loved me, forgiven me, and healed me.
Glory to You forever, Lord. Praised be You, my God!
 

Gospel of the Day

Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 16:19–31

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. In torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. So he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in these flames.’
But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things, while Lazarus received bad things. Now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to cross from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’
The rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Gifts Against You

This parable is not about the rich man suffering in hell—it is a warning to his wealthy brothers still on earth. And those brothers could be us.
God does not distribute gifts equally, but He does so intentionally, so that those who have more may share with those who have less.
That is why the law that governs this world is charity. If I have more, it is not for me to enjoy more than others, but to share what I have. If I fail to do this, there will be consequences—both in this life and the next.

Applying It to Married Life

Paco: We have the afternoon free. What do you think about going through the gifts God has given us and seeing how we are using them?
Dolores: That sounds like a good idea. For example, I like helping others, I am honest, religious, deep-thinking, hardworking, and persistent.
Paco: I am tenacious, perseverant, practical, disciplined, and very focused. Let’s see… I use my tenacity for my own goals, but not for what you ask of me; my perseverance for what I like, but not for our relationship; my focus sometimes turns into obsession over your flaws; and my discipline often makes me too demanding with you. I am not using my virtues to love you more.
Dolores: And I realise that I use my gift of helping others outside the home but not with you; my honesty sometimes turns into pointing out your faults; my religious devotion makes me compare myself to you; my depth of thought makes me complain that you are too superficial; and my hard work makes me judge you for not using your time efficiently. Instead of using my gifts to love you, I have been using them against you.
Paco: I think we have a lot to change. What if we started using our gifts to help each other, instead of to hurt each other?
Dolores: Maybe then we would truly learn how to love.

Mother,

May we use our riches for love. Praise be to the Giver of all things!

Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ.
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way:
His mother, Mary, was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, her husband, being a just man and unwilling to expose her to disgrace, resolved to divorce her quietly. But after he had made up his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said:
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.

Admiration for Joseph

Fr. Mendizábal says that Joseph never doubted Mary but did doubt whether he was worthy enough to be the husband of the Mother of God and to serve as the father of Jesus. What a mission Joseph had!
How many times must Jesus have heard this story from His father? And how many times would He have admired Joseph—his humility, his faithfulness, his obedience? Surely, Jesus was proud of him.
As parents, may we rise each day ready to do the will of the Father, just as Joseph did.

Applying It to Married Life

Paco: I love God’s plan—that He wanted His Son to have an adoptive father. It reminds me how important and dignified our role is as adoptive parents.
Clara: Yes! What a blessing that we can share this mission with Saint Joseph. And what dignity it gives to our children to know that Jesus Himself also had an adoptive father.
Paco: Thank You, Lord, for the example of Saint Joseph.
Clara: We ask Saint Joseph to intercede for us so that we may trust in the Father’s love as generously as he did.

Mother,

What a great husband you had on Earth. May we, like him, embrace the mission entrusted to us with humility, faithfulness, and obedience.
Thank you, blessed Joseph!

Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 23:1–12

At that time, Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying:
“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe whatever they tell you, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen by others. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the places of honour at banquets, the seats of honour in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the title ‘Rabbi.’
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your ‘Father,’ for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘Master,’ for you have one Master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Missing Chapter

Wouldn’t it be better to simply witness that it is God who does everything?
Once again, Jesus redirects our actions towards love and truth, offering two guiding principles:
“The greatest among you must be your servant.”
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
These are two essential keys for marriage. One who does not serve is of no use. And secondly, I cannot exalt myself, because claiming merit for myself is taking it away from God.
Wouldn’t it be better to simply testify that it is God who accomplishes everything? Only God exalts, and He exalts the humble.

Applying It to Married Life

Juanjo (Catechist): Mmm… this dessert is delicious! Well… (getting up from the table) meal finished, gathering over!
Marta: And the dishes? Who’s clearing the table? Am I doing it alone?
Juanjo: Marta, I have so much to do. I’m teaching catechesis tomorrow, and I haven’t even finished preparing my lesson.
Marta: One day, I really need to discover the mystery of how to love without clearing the table. That chapter isn’t in my Bible…
Juanjo: You’re right, Marta. Forgive me. Go and rest a while—I’ll take care of everything. Tomorrow’s catechesis is not more important than the dignity of serving you.
Marta: Thank you, Juanjo. And forgive me—I was a bit ironic with you, and irony is far from love. I feel ashamed, because irony always places oneself above the other, and in doing so, I disregarded you. I should have spoken to you with love, thinking of you rather than myself.
Juanjo: Either way, it worked. Thank you for bringing me back to my place.
Marta: And thank you for reacting so well and bringing me back to mine.
(They embrace.)

Mother,

You teach us this as well in the Magnificat:
“He has shown might with His arm, scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.”
This is the Heart of the Father, and this is how you reveal Him to us. How important it is to know the heart of God!
Thank you, Mother, for showing it to us. Blessed are you. Amen.