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GOSPEL

Do not follow their example.
Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 23:1-12

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 all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
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.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Not knowing who I am.

Any self-exaltation is a form of pride. Sometimes we believe that we are better than others just because we pray or go to Mass, or because we are faithful to our marriage. And does that give me the authority to dismiss those who are not, or to believe that I am superior? But weren’t we in agreement that it is God who does it? Ultimately, it all comes from not knowing who God the Father is and what I receive from Him, not knowing the Holy Spirit and what He works in me, not knowing His mercy and the grace I receive from Jesus Christ through His resurrection and death. Ultimately, my pride comes from not knowing the Holy Trinity.
All glory belongs to God, the Father, and to Christ, the only Messiah.

Applied to married life:

Ramón: Marta, could you please put your phone down while I’m talking to you?
Marta: I’m not on my phone. I’m praying. Unlike you, who never prays, that’s why things aren’t going well for you. I’ve said three rosaries today and fasted.
Ramón: It seems quite inconsistent that you pray so much but don’t even have the courtesy to put your phone down when I’m speaking to you.
Marta: Well, having another one of your superficial conversations is a bit of a waste of time, to be honest.
Ramón: Alright then, keep praying…
(At night, during the examination of conscience, Marta realizes that she is no better than Ramón just because she prays more)
Marta: I’m sorry, Ramón. You were right. I shouldn’t have been on my phone while you were talking to me. You’re very important to me.
Ramón: That’s one thing I admire about you. You always acknowledge things and ask for forgiveness.
Marta: It’s not me, it’s the Lord who makes me see it and pushes me to apologize.

Mother,

Those who belong to God demonstrate it by not exalting themselves but by exalting God. They always point to the one to whom all glory belongs. Praise be to my Lord.

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GOSPEL

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Natural and Supernatural Virtue

For every natural virtue, there is a supernatural virtue that comes from Grace. The interesting thing is that acts that come from natural virtues have no supernatural value; they have no value for eternal life. So, we may think we are very good, but in reality, we have no merit, and furthermore, we become proud by thinking highly of our own actions. The reality is that without the Lord, I can do nothing. Even if I could… without Charity, I can do nothing.

For grace to act, we must first be in a state of grace and then welcome the actual grace that God gives us in every situation. The merits that come from His grace are the ones that have value for God and eternal life. This way, when I humble myself, grace can act, and it is grace that elevates me to God.

Applied to married life

Marta: I have always had good intentions. As a child, I was good. I didn’t wish harm upon anyone. As an adult, I’ve always cared for others. I’ve felt a lot of compassion.

Andrés: Yes, your mother always says you were a very good girl. And now, it’s true that you are very dedicated to others.

Marta: But something is wrong with me, and it’s that all of this has made me proud: I’ve demanded that others treat me as I would according to my natural talents. The result is that I’ve become very demanding with you and others. And, furthermore, I’ve believed I am better.

Andrés: Well… that’s also true. It’s your dominant vice.

Marta: The problem is that everything good I do has no value if it’s not God’s grace working through me. And for that, I have to be humble so that He can act. Will you help me?

Andrés: Count on me, my wonderful wife. Don’t worry, this attitude you have now is one of humility. If you maintain it, the Lord will make you not just good, but holy.

Mother,

Help us understand that without humility, we won’t get anywhere, because everything is the work of grace. Help me always take the lowest place. Blessed be God who desires to exalt us.

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GOSPEL

Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 14:1-6

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them
“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”
But they were unable to answer his question.

The word of the Lord.

Lack of trust.

The Pharisees were spying on Jesus because they lacked trust. They already held something against Him in their hearts and were looking for an excuse to openly oppose Him.

And it is true that when there is love, there can be trust. When I feel loved, I feel confident.

That is why Saint John Paul said that every sin begins with a suspicion of the gift. If I know that God loves me just as He truly loves me, my life would completely change.

Applied to married life:

Teresa: What did you want to tell me, Lucas?
Lucas: Teresa, I have realized that many of the problems I have with you stem from my suspicion of God’s love, and therefore, my suspicion of you.
Teresa: Is that why you’re always on the defensive with me?
Lucas: Yes, exactly. Everything you do, I interpret as “you don’t love me,” and everything you don’t do, too. I’m constantly spying on your every action to prove your lack of love for me. Forgive me, Teresa.
Teresa: I forgive you, Lucas. I truly love you. With my limitations and sins, but I love you more than myself.
Lucas: Thank you, Teresa. May God protect and bless you.

Mother,

Help us not to doubt God’s love. If He gives me what I have, then what I have is the best I could ever have. Praised be God forever.

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GOSPEL

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 14:1-6

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Wanting and doing.

“I will come back and take you to be with me,” says this Gospel. Saint Ambrose of Milan says that in Christ, wanting and doing are the same. His desires perfectly align with His actions. The thing is, He desires for us to be with Him, and that means if there are no obstacles on our part, the day He returns for us, we will be with Him forever.

Applied to married life:

Julio: I loved the third cycle of catechesis by St. John Paul II where he talks about the eschatological man. After all, it shows us our ultimate destination, where we are heading for all eternity.

Marta: Yes, it’s good to know and understand what we need to prepare for, what our final destination is, so that we can align our lives with what will be our life forever. The union through complete divinization. An incredible experience!

Julio: There could be nothing more beautiful than being together in the kingdom of heaven. Fullness, perfect union, forever, forever, forever.

Marta: God is great and He is all love. He wants us to be with Him, and we desire nothing better than to be with Him.

Mother,

What a blessing it would be to be with your Son and with you, to look into your eyes, hold your hand, embrace you… How much we have to thank you, Mother. Blessed be you.

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GOSPEL

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-12a

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

Desires and happiness.

We all have a desire for happiness, and that is good because God has planted it in our hearts. But due to our disorderliness, we seek it on our own and through wrong paths. Let us see the disordered path and that of all the Saints.

Applied to married life:

The poor in spirit: We long for trust and security. We seek it through the path of Greed. The right path is generosity, which leads us to attain the Kingdom of Heaven.

The meek: We long to become great. We seek it through the path of pride and vanity. But the right path is humility and meekness, which will make us inherit the Earth.

Those who mourn: We long for well-being. We seek it through the path of gluttony. But the right path is temperance. Self-control brings us suffering, but God will give us comfort.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness: The longing is for justice. The wrong path is that of Anger. The right path is patience, trusting in divine justice that will satisfy us.

The merciful: We long for tremendous dignity. The wrong path is envy. The right path is kindness, for by being kind, God will have mercy on us, and we will be dignified by being divinized.

The clean of heart: The longing is for communion. The wrong path is lust. The right path is chastity, for purity will allow me to see God.

Those who seek peace: The longing is for inner harmony. The wrong path is laziness. The right path is diligence, which will make me be and act as a child of God, granting me the desired harmony.

Those persecuted for His sake: The longing is to attain fullness. The wrong path is to be led by all the previous ones. The right path, which is the Beatitudes, will lead me to be persecuted, but it will be a sign that I will be with Him in the kingdom of Heaven.

Mother,

You will lead us to be happy among ourselves, with the Lord, and with you. Thank you, Blessed Virgin Mary.