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.

Gospel of the Day

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark 6:30–34

At that time, the apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught.
He said to them:
‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.’
For so many people were coming and going that they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves.
But many saw them leaving and recognised them, and from all the towns they ran on foot to that place and arrived there ahead of them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw a great crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

A “Kit Kat”?

Reading this Gospel, I wonder: What would it be like to rest with Jesus? Would He stop talking about the Kingdom and change the subject to “relax”?
I don’t think Jesus would take a “kit kat” from His mission or His essence as the Saviour. Even in moments of rest, He would still be the Good Shepherd.
Let our priests always remain priests, even in their times of rest. Let us remain Christian spouses, even during our leisure time, and even more so in front of our children.

Applying It to Married Life

Rafa: Lola, are you truly a Christian, or are you just acting like one?
Lola: What kind of question is that, Rafa? Of course, I’m a Christian.
Rafa: Yeah, but in your free time, do you also behave like a Christian wife, or do you only do so when people are watching, in a church setting?
Lola: Well, it’s true that sometimes I don’t behave as I should—but that’s when I fall into temptation and the devil takes over me. But in those moments, it’s not really me; it’s the evil working within me.
Rafa: I’ve realised that there are always spirits influencing us. When we belong to Christ, it’s the Holy Spirit guiding us. But when we don’t, it’s the spirit of evil leading us. But you and I, we belong to Christ—don’t we?

Mother,

We are spouses of Christ, our Good Shepherd. Praise be to Him forever.
 

Gospel of the Day

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.

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.