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GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”

The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them,
“You justify yourselves in the sight of others,
but God knows your hearts;
for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Message from the Lord:

Consistency from the Minor to the Major.

The person who displays faithfulness in small matters will also exhibit fidelity in more significant aspects of life. This is truly commendable! In essence, it’s a straightforward concept. Your character influences your conduct, whether dealing with minor or major affairs. Hence, it holds paramount importance to remain loyal in worldly affairs, thereby positioning ourselves favorably for matters concerning God.

Let’s cultivate the practice of natural virtues in the trivialities of daily life, fostering kindness toward our spouses, with the ultimate aim of acquiring supernatural virtues that raise us to God through His grace.

Applied to marital life:

Kevin: Vicky, what’s going on? You’ve been arranging my toiletries for quite some time.
Vicky: I’m preparing my heart for when you might need me in more substantial matters. Currently, I’m assisting you in organizing your belongings, and eventually, I’ll be poised to assist when God calls on me to help arrange your heart.
Kevin: You’re truly lovely. Training yourself in the minor aspects to be ready for more significant acts of love. There’s no one else like you. How can I adequately express my gratitude to God for everything He has blessed me with through you? Praise be to God.
Vicky: Praise be to Him through you.

Mother,

May our awareness persist in staying faithful to the seemingly insignificant tasks. Praise be to the Lord for continuously guiding us in the practice of love through His Word.

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GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
‘What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.’
The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.’
He called in his master’s debtors one by one.
To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’
Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.’
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light.”

Message from the Lord.

Winning Souls for God

This Gospel passage can be somewhat perplexing at first glance. It might seem like someone who acts improperly is being commended. However, Jesus is actually encouraging us to utilize the gifts given by God to attract the love and devotion of many people. He’s urging us to make the most of what God has provided so that we can help reduce or eliminate any spiritual debts our loved ones may have to God. God doesn’t desire that anyone carries burdens of debt to Him, and He’s willing to give generously, even offering His own Son, to bring about reconciliation and peace. So, what is our role in this?

The Devil is a cunning tempter who lures and deceives by disguising his ways as appealing. In response, we need to be clever and strategic in our efforts to lead our loved ones closer to God. The Devil doesn’t force anyone; he allures and seduces. Therefore, we must exert a stronger, more attractive influence on our loved ones to guide them towards God, for God’s power is always superior.

Relating this to married life:

Helen: Andrés, I sent you a link about Father Pio. Have you checked it out?
Andrew: No, Marta, I haven’t had a chance to see it.
Helen: It seems like you find time to watch all sorts of videos, but when I send you something profound, it doesn’t seem to pique your interest.
Andrew: Marta, I’m getting tired of the dull videos you send me. I’m not sure why I feel obligated to watch them…
In prayer, the Lord says: Marta, Marta… I have endowed you with all your unique qualities as a woman so that you can captivate your husband’s heart for Me. I understand your nature. Embrace your femininity, your sweetness, and your charm. Stay connected to Me through your prayers and sacraments, and continue offering sacrifices on his behalf. In due time, I will work in his heart. My daughter, place your trust in Me. I need you. I need your words, your actions. When your husband sees you, it should be Me that he sees in reality. Love him as I love you, and employ your natural allure to bring his soul closer to Me. This is the greatest gift you can offer him if you love him, and it’s the greatest gift you can offer Me if you love Me.
(After waiting a few days not to overwhelm Andrew)
Helen: Darling, would you come over here with me? I’m feeling a bit chilly.
Andrew: Of course, I’ll warm you up.
Helen: I’m aware there’s a series you enjoy. Would it be alright if I watch a couple of episodes with you, and afterward, we can have a nice chat?
Andrew: Well, alright… My series? Sure, I appreciate you sharing this with me.
(After a couple of episodes)
Helen: I enjoyed watching your series with you. Would you be open to me sharing something with you as well? I need you.
Andrew: Yes, of course.
Helen: Look, I’d like us to experience something meaningful together, something that goes beyond daily chores and household matters. I want to know you better, and I’d like you to know me…
(After a while of conversing while Helen gently caresses Andrew’ chest, knowing his preferences…)
Helen: What I’m feeling is akin to that Gospel message that says…
(And so, Helen, gently and artfully, led Andrew into a conversation about matters of God. There was no imposition, just a focus on his comfort and the enjoyment of a pleasant time. Finally, Helen was skilfully making use of the gifts that God had given her).

Mother,

I admire your subtlety, your simplicity. You’ve masterfully guided me towards God and won my heart. I hold you dear, Mother. How can I ever repay you? Praise be to the Lord, who entrusted me to His Most Holy Mother to welcome me in His name. Amen.

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GOSPEL

The Gospel passage from the book of Luke 14:25-33 conveys Jesus’ message to a large crowd.

He tells them that to be His disciple, one must be willing to prioritize their commitment to Him over even their closest family members. Additionally, Jesus emphasizes the importance of carrying one’s own burdens, symbolized by the cross, to follow Him faithfully. He uses examples of estimating the cost of building a tower or the wisdom of a king going to war to illustrate the need for careful consideration before embarking on any endeavor. Ultimately, Jesus teaches that true discipleship requires a willingness to relinquish all worldly possessions.

Message of the Lord.

The Tower of the Heart

Jesus underscores that true riches come from relying on earthly possessions for personal satisfaction. He challenges us to consider the purpose of our lives and what kind of “tower” we are building. If we lack the means to achieve our ultimate goal – goodness, beauty, truth, and justice – we should engage in negotiations with the One who possesses everything. If we seek to align our plans with God’s, we must make a pact with Him, even while He seems distant. This pact requires us to be prepared to let go of all earthly attachments to inherit the eternal.

In the context of married life:

Emma: Mike, should your marital commitment be governed by your intellect or your heart?
Mike: I believe my intellect should govern it.
Emma: Therein lies a challenge, as love is not guided by our intellect but by our heart’s passions and will. These elements are intertwined within the heart. Why did you choose the intellect?
Mike: I thought it would provide the right judgment for a loving relationship.
Emma: You’re on the right track. Order your heart using your sound judgment and the grace’s strength, and then let your heart guide your commitment in marriage. This is the path of virtue. A virtuous person attains the spontaneity of the heart because their heart aligns with Christ’s, and their desires become Christ’s desires.
Mike: I may not fully grasp it, but it sounds promising.
Emma: We are working on taming our unruly passions, and the day we desire God’s will above all else, without clinging to other desires, is when we can fully enjoy marriage here on Earth.
Mike: I understand it better now. It’s a pursuit worth undertaking.

Mother,

It is worthwhile to relinquish the finite to attain the infinite. It is worth sacrificing fleeting attractions for eternal love. The spiritual battle to follow Christ is a worthy endeavor. Praise be to our Lord forever.

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GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to John 2:13-22

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a]

The Jews then responded to him, “What signcan you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Message of the Lord.

Temple’s dignity

The Gospel of the Lord underscores the sacredness of the temple, with Jesus showing deep dedication to His Father’s temple and referring to his own body as a new temple. He foretells a future where God’s worship will transcend physical locations and become a matter of spirit and truth. In this new era, our bodies are the temples, as the Spirit resides within us, and God is at the core of our souls. This prompts us to reflect on how we should diligently care for and treat our own bodies, as well as how we should regard and interact with our spouse’s body.

In the context of married life:

Anna: I struggle to grasp the severity of the Lord’s actions when He expelled the money changers from the temple.
Peter: The temple was a holy place, and those individuals were in the area meant for purification. The Lord needed to convey that this was not the proper path for purification.
Anna: Now our bodies are the temple. How does He expect us to treat them?
Peter: Certainly, with the utmost purity. He takes the sanctity of God’s temple very seriously, and our bodies now hold this same dignity.
Anna: Undoubtedly, considering His response, we must appreciate the significance He places on maintaining purity in our sexuality.

Mother,

May we consistently treat one another with the dignity that God has granted us. If we falter, let us accept correction with humility. Praise be to God.

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Gospel
From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him,
“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”
He replied to him,
“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
‘Come, everything is now ready.’
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.
The first said to him,
‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen
and am on my way to evaluate them;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have just married a woman,
and therefore I cannot come.’
The servant went and reported this to his master.
Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant,
‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out
and still there is room.’
The master then ordered the servant,
‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows
and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'”

Message from the Lord.

The essential grace.

The nourishment for the soul is God’s Grace, which allows us to experience His kingdom. God grants us enough grace to fulfill His plan, but often, we make excuses to avoid taking responsibility for losing His grace. These excuses weaken us, hindering our willingness to embrace it fully. The result? We miss out on God’s kingdom on Earth.
The Lord offers us a banquet of graces, but we reject it with our excuses, missing out on the blessings.

Applied to marriage:

Peter: While reading the Gospel, I initially thought it didn’t apply to me because I’ve responded to the Lord. But I wondered, “Why am I not experiencing the Kingdom?”
Anna: That’s an intriguing question. Have you reached any conclusions?
Peter: Yes, I’ve realized that God constantly invites me to a feast of graces, but I keep making excuses instead of embracing them.
Anna: I see. Could you clarify a bit more? I’m not fully understanding.
Peter: Well, with the Sacrament of Marriage, God assures that I’ll receive the necessary grace for our marriage as He intended. But if I’m not living it that way, it’s likely because I’m not fully accepting it.
Anna: Are you squandering the grace?
Peter: Exactly. I’ve declined God’s invitation to live in His Kingdom, and from now on, I’ve resolved not to make excuses.

Mother,

You are filled with Grace. You wholeheartedly accepted God’s grace. Rejoice, Queen of Heaven! Hallelujah.