Gospel of the Day
From the Gospel according to Luke 9:7–9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
Recognising God
God is far more present in our lives than we can imagine, and what happened to Herod can also happen to us: we can see that something extraordinary is taking place around us and, instead of opening our hearts, keep them closed within our own reasoning. The weight of our sin, which continues to echo within us, can prevent us from recognising what God is doing in us.
We need to ask ourselves whether we truly know Christ or whether we only know about Him from what we have heard. We should also consider whether our past, our sins, wounds and fears make it difficult for us to recognise God’s action in our lives.
Something similar can happen in marriage. Sometimes we look at our spouse through the lens of previous situations, mistakes and wounds from the past, which prevent us from discovering what God is doing in him or her and in our marriage.
Only a reconciled heart can recognise the presence of the Lord and allow itself to be transformed.
Applied to Married Life
Louis: Hi Mercedes, I’m exhausted. At work they don’t give me a moment to breathe, then I come home and it feels as though everything is against me. On top of that, I bring it all to prayer and it seems as though nothing happens. I don’t see any answer because everything stays the same. It’s as if the Lord isn’t listening.
Mercedes: Oh, Louis, you’ve come home feeling really overwhelmed. But don’t worry, you have me, and besides, the Lord does great things for you and through you.
Louis: Well, you’re saying that to reassure me, but I feel a bit abandoned.
Mercedes: Don’t say that. It may seem as though the Lord isn’t listening to you, but you know very well that He is. To me, you’re a real example of perseverance. Despite everything, you never give up prayer, and you always look for those little moments to be alone with Him.
Louis: The truth is, I need it. I can’t stop seeking that intimacy with God. But when it seems pointless, as though there’s no answer, I feel like throwing in the towel and simply leaving everything to Providence.
Mercedes: You know very well that doesn’t work. Remember what we were like before we knew the Lord. We wanted to control everything and do everything through our own strength, and you know where that leads. Remember that back then we really did come close to throwing everything away, but He came to rescue us, entering into our lives and changing everything.
Louis: That’s true. Without God, we came close to separating, and when we allowed Him into our lives, He changed everything for the better.
Mercedes: That’s why you can’t allow yourself to think that it’s all pointless. Perhaps you’re so focused on your own concerns that you’re not allowing Him into your heart. With all the noise created by everything happening around you, perhaps you’re paying more attention to yourself than to the Lord. It happens to me sometimes too.
Louis: You’re right. It’s not so much that I’m receiving nothing; it’s that I’m no longer listening to Him. Thank you for the light you bring me, and above all, I thank God for speaking to me through you, just as He has done now. I am truly blessed.
Mercedes: Glory to God!
Mother,
Help us to have humble hearts, capable of recognising God in our marriage and allowing ourselves to be converted by His presence.