GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke

LK 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him

but were unable to join him because of the crowd.

He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside

and they wish to see you.”

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The word of the Lord

Social inclusion.

Today it is fashionable to talk about social inclusion. A very artificial way of pretending what they call social cohesion.

But the Lord speaks to us of true “inclusion” which is adherence to Him. The glue is the love of God and the way is through faith: Listening to His Word and fulfilling it. This is true social “inclusion”, based on truth, which we prefer to call “communion” in Christ and with the Holy Mother Church.

Applied to Married Life:

Manuel: If you had to give a general recommendation for marriages to be more united, families more united, and society more united, what would you give?

Ana: Without a doubt, that they listen to the Word of the Lord and fulfill it. It never fails.

Mother,

In Christ we live, in Christ we move and in Christ we exist. Glory to God!

GOSPEL

GOSPEL

Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
  They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Reaching for the Highest

Jesus speaks to His disciples about the greatness of His mission—a supernatural mission, nothing less than the salvation of the world through the cross. He is about to reach the pinnacle of human dignity by giving His body for me.

In contrast, the disciples sought greatness through domination, attempting to impose themselves on others. This attitude clearly causes division among them, while Jesus’ approach fosters an alliance—a union stronger than death. So strong that nothing will separate us from Him. The question now is: Do I want to create separation with my spouse through domination, or union with him/her through service and sacrifice? I choose to love.

Applied to Married Life:

Bettany: Lord, I don’t feel valued for what I do as a wife and mother. But I know these feelings are temptations; my ego wants to be exalted through vanity, and I don’t want to succumb to that temptation. I would rather be humbled with You through my self-giving on the cross, as a wife who offers her sacrifices for the salvation of her husband and children. I am with You, Lord; I will follow You.
Jack: Lord, I ask for forgiveness for not embracing the gift You’ve given me through my wife, and I thank You for her, for she teaches me how to love. Please help me to be more humble.
Bettany: No, Jack, you are a wonderful gift to me. These are temptations I need to overcome. I love you.
Jack: I love you too.

Mother,

How ugly it is for us, your children, to try to impose ourselves on one another. It must be an immense pain for You to witness these divisions born from our desire to be greater than others. Only God exalts, and He exalts those who humble themselves. How beautiful is the path of God’s love. Praise be to Him.

GOSPEL

It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
  While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Creative Strength

You, Lord, are able to see in me more than others can. Where others find reasons for judgement and condemnation, You search deep to uncover something valuable within me. I want to look at my husband in the same way. Teach me, Lord, to see him like this. It seems very difficult to me, as I lack purity of heart, but I trust that You can help me find the best perspective within.

Applied to Married Life:

James: Saint John Paul II says in his catechesis that “the husband attentively observes his wife with a creator’s loving concern, seeking all that is good and beautiful in her and desiring it for her.” Reading that filled me with hope.
Martha: And why is that?
James: Because I believe that the Lord has instilled in me a creative strength capable of building with my love what you may lack in becoming the perfect wife.
Martha: That’s beautiful. Thank you.

Mother,

We offer that creative strength of beauty. 

GOSPEL

Luke 8:1-3
The women who accompanied Jesus
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

The Gospel of the Lord.

My Queen

Serving the Lord and the disciples with their resources is precisely what made these women holy. Here are some quotes from Saint John Paul II in the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem:
“Jesus also said: ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve’ (Mark 10:45). From the very first moment of her divine motherhood, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in her union with the Son whom ‘the Father sent into the world, that the world might be saved through him’ (cf. John 3:17), entered into the messianic service of Christ… This service constitutes the very foundation of that Kingdom, in which ‘to serve’ (…) means ‘to reign.’ Christ, the ‘Servant of the Lord,’ will reveal to all humanity the royal dignity of service, which is directly related to the vocation of every person.”
These holy women we honour today reigned on Earth and will reign with Christ in Heaven.

Applied to Married Life:

Maya: Why are you kissing my feet?
Charles: Because I humble myself before your femininity, your loving devotion, your spiritual grace as a wife and a mother. I bow before your divine wisdom and the tenderness of a daughter of Mary. I honour you as a mediator of God’s love. I admire the selfless service you provide, reflecting Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. To me, you are a testament to the motherhood of God, both Father and Mother. Your purity shields me from the mundane, like the protective embrace of the Rosary that you encourage me to pray with you every day. You are a beacon of faith for our children. How could I not kiss your feet when I feel unworthy of you?
Maya: Come now, get up and hug me, my husband. I was created for you, and you mean everything to me.

Mother,

Blessed are You for being the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and blessed are You for being the Mother of Christ and of the entire Church. In these roles, and as the Daughter of God, You continue to labour each day. Thank You, Lord, for the holy women You have placed in our lives.