Scene 2. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 5:20-26

From the Gospel according to Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:“I tell you,unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Scene 2

My husband is so important in God’s eyes that it deeply wounds Him when I call him an idiot. It’s not just the word itself, but what comes from the heart: contempt for another person.

The Lord teaches that someone who truly loves must never allow themselves to despise the one they love. A heart should not be hardened, armed for defense; rather, it should always be open to being invaded, conquered. The heart’s mission is not to protect itself but to welcome the other, even if they come armed; to make itself vulnerable, even at the risk of being wounded. A loving spouse does not try to destroy the dignity of their beloved with insults but seeks to lift them up from their weaknesses with love.

 

Applied to Married Life

Scene 1:

Kate: This is the third time I’ve told you not to leave the fridge open.

Ron: I didn’t leave it open.

Kate: Let’s be real. It’s just the two of us here because the kids are away, and I always double-check. But you, as always, just push the door from a distance and walk away.

Ron: Kate I’m telling you, it wasn’t me.

Kate: Leaving it open is bad enough, but not admitting it when it’s so obvious—that’s just stupid

Ron: Kate, please, don’t insult me.

Kate: (Mocking) “Don’t insult, don’t insult.” What’s the big deal? I only called you stupid. I should’ve called you something worse.

(Ron throws down his newspaper and storms out, slamming the door behind him.)

 

Scene 2:

Kate: This is the third time I’ve told you not to leave the fridge open.

Ron: I didn’t leave it open.

Kate: Let’s be real. It’s just the two of us here because the kids are away, and I always double-check. But you, as always, just push the door from a distance and walk away.

Ron: Kate, I’m telling you, it wasn’t me.

Kate: Leaving it open is bad enough, but not admitting it when it’s so obvious—that’s just stupid

Ron: Kate, please, don’t insult me.

(A brief silence. Kate reflects.)

Kate: You’re right. Forgive me! From the start, I’ve been speaking to you with contempt, as if I were better than you. The truth is, I wasn’t correcting you for your own good—I was thinking about myself. I’m sorry, Ron. You don’t deserve to be spoken to like that. (She hugs him.)

Ron: Don’t worry, Kate (He strokes her hair.) I understand. Honestly, I have left the fridge open a few times, and food was spoiled. I’ll be more careful, okay? And now, let me make it up to you. (Taking a step back, he sits on the couch while still holding her hands.) Come, sit with me…

Kate: I love you.

Ron: I love you so much.

 

Mother,

God has given us such incredible dignity that if we truly understood it, we would treat each other with the utmost tenderness and care. Thank You, Lord, for making us so valuable with the immense love You have placed within us. Praise be to You.

The Hen that lays golden eggs. Reflection for marriages Matthew 7:7-12

From the Gospel according to Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:”Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Which one of you would hand his son a stonewhen he asked for a loaf of bread,or a snake when he asked for a fish?If you then, who are wicked,know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your heavenly Father give good thingsto those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.This is the law and the prophets.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Hen that lays golden eggs

I’ve come to realize that this Gospel message is true: when I ask my Father for good things, He grants them. However, I’ve also noticed something—whenever I elevate myself, I receive fewer graces. Clearly, God does not see it fit to bless me with His gifts when I stand on the pedestal of my own pride.

So today, instead of asking for the golden egg, I will ask for the hen that lays them. I will ask the Lord to help me take the lowest place in everything and to give me the grace to genuinely desire it. I trust that this is something good, and I believe my Father will grant it.

Applyed to married life 

Charles (praying with his wife): Lord, today I felt unappreciated by my wife twice—once when she criticized my parenting and again when she contradicted me in front of our children. But I thank You for these moments because they help stretch my heart and make more room for Your grace.
Marta: Charles, I don’t understand why you pray for things like that.
Charles: Marta, you’re missing something incredible—the experience of being filled with God’s grace. I know that humiliation isn’t pleasant, but it’s an opportunity to let God work in you. And there’s only one way to receive that grace: by humbling yourself so that He can be exalted in you.
Marta: When you put it that way, it actually makes sense. I’ll give it a try.

Mother,

The Lord saw your humility, and because of that, He was able to do great things through you. Help us to follow your example—opening our hearts so that we, too, may receive God’s grace. May He be praised forever.

Prevent from Falling. Reflection for marriages. Luke 11:29-32

From the Gospel according to Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,”This generation is an evil generation;it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,except the sign of Jonah.Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,so will the Son of Man be to this generation.At the judgmentthe queen of the south will rise with the men of this generationand she will condemn them,because she came from the ends of the earthto hear the wisdom of Solomon,and there is something greater than Solomon here.At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generationand condemn it,because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Prevent from Falling

Saint Ambrose wisely reminds us, “Penance erases sin, and wisdom prevents it.” This insight resonates deeply because—who wouldn’t want to avoid sin? As the Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, our hearts catch fire, and we begin to delight in the things of the Lord. This process strengthens our will and gradually brings order to our disordered passions. This is the path of purification we explore in the 2nd cycle of catechesis  at Proyect for Conjugal Love.

Let us immerse ourselves in the Word, so that the Burning Heart of Jesus may ignite our hearts, allowing us to experience His glory.


Applied to Married Life

Joana: David, how would you feel if you thought I only loved you for my own benefit? 
David: I’d feel like you didn’t truly love me, plain and simple. 
Joana: Then imagine how the Lord must feel when so many don’t love Him, and most who turn to Him do so only out of self-interest. 
David: That must be heartbreaking. He must feel so alone. What can we do to make Him feel truly welcomed? 
Joana:  We could pray together without asking for anything—just speaking to Him out of love. What do you think? 
David: I love that idea. I also think that if He is present in our relationship, He would want us to love each other selflessly. 
Joana I completely agree. 
David How about this Lent, we commit to doing five small acts of sacrifice for each other each day—without telling the other? 
Joana That sounds beautiful.


Mother,

We long to welcome Your Son and give Him rest in our hearts, just as He finds rest in Yours. Come, Lord, dwell among us.

Food for the Heart. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 6:7-15

From the Gospel according to Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Food for the Heart

Just as food nourishes the body even when we don’t consciously feel it, prayer sustains the soul, even when it doesn’t seem particularly profound or moving. 

We firmly believe this because, after years of daily prayer, we’ve witnessed its impact: God’s Word always fulfills its purpose. Like rain that waters the earth before returning to the sky, His Word brings life before returning to Him.

Applied to married life

Vicent: What would you say prayer has given you each day? 
Clare:  If I started listing everything, I wouldn’t have enough time! But if I had to choose one thing, it would be the love I have for you. I’ve been experiencing a love beyond myself—one that fills my heart, shapes my words, and strengthens my commitment to you. It’s like a fragrance that seeps into everything, making my love for you even deeper. 
Vicent: That’s incredible, Clare. It makes me want to pray even more.

Mother,

We thank the Lord for the daily gift of prayer—a nourishment for both the heart and soul. Praise be to God.

The Obedient and the Stubborn. Reflection for marriages. Matthew 25:31-46

From the Gospel according to Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:”When the Son of Man comes in his glory,and all the angels with him,he will sit upon his glorious throne,and all the nations will be assembled before him.And he will separate them one from another,as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Then the king will say to those on his right,’Come, you who are blessed by my Father.Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.For I was hungry and you gave me food,I was thirsty and you gave me drink,a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me,ill and you cared for me,in prison and you visited me.’Then the righteous will answer him and say,’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,or thirsty and give you drink?When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,or naked and clothe you?When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’And the king will say to them in reply,’Amen, I say to you, whatever you didfor one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’Then he will say to those on his left,’Depart from me, you accursed,into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.For I was hungry and you gave me no food,I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,a stranger and you gave me no welcome,naked and you gave me no clothing,ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’Then they will answer and say,’Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirstyor a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,and not minister to your needs?’He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,what you did not do for one of these least ones,you did not do for me.’And these will go off to eternal punishment,but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Gospel of the Lord

The Obedient and the Stubborn

Even though we deeply wish for everyone to be saved, the Lord teaches that there will be both sheep and goats—placing the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. This comparison comes from the idea that sheep tend to be more obedient and docile, whereas goats are more independent and stubborn.

However, it is not up to us to make that distinction. Only God can judge. What truly matters is whether we have shown love by giving others what they truly need—no more, no less.

Applied to Married Life:

Kati: I’d love for you to share your struggles with me so I can support you through them.
Jhon: I usually don’t because I don’t want to burden you, and I try not to focus on them myself.
Kati: I appreciate that, but I’d rather you open up to me. Sharing these moments will bring us closer, don’t you think?
Jhon: I hadn’t considered it that way, but I see your point. From now on, I’ll share my struggles with you.

Mother,

Help us show mercy to one another. Praise be to God, who calls us to love in this way.