One Sabbath the Lord was going through the cornfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck ears of corn. And the Pharisees were saying to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?’ And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.’
How many rules imposed by society do we follow? Whom do we really want to please—God or people?
If we stop to think about it, the world constantly tells us what we should do, what we should think, how we should behave, how we should dress… and very often we go along with it simply to fit in, so as not to look “odd” or out of place.
We need to put our priorities in order: to know who our Lord truly is and to follow Him, shaping our lives according to His will. The same is true in marriage. We should not feel embarrassed about going to Mass, praying together, holding hands, showing affection, or even renouncing certain plans because they do not seem right. We are called to show the grace of being children of God and the beauty of the sacrament of marriage and family life.
Applied to Married Life
Mary: Darling, Lucy has invited me to spend four days at her beach house over Holy Week, with all the girls.
John Paul: What a great plan! Which days would it be? I could organise myself to work from home and look after the children. That way you could rest a bit and switch off.
Mary: I’m not sure this is what I should do. I’m going to Mass and I’ll place it in prayer—then I’ll be able to see things more clearly.
(After returning from Mass)
John Paul: Mary, I don’t know what the Lord said to you, but I’ve prayed about it too, and I think it would be better if you didn’t go. Holy Week is always a time we live as a family, in prayer, preparing ourselves for the Lord’s Passion. And also, as an example for the children, I don’t think it would be the best thing… don’t you agree?
Mary: Oh, John Paul, how I love you! The Lord showed me exactly the same thing. I love my friends very much, but these days are meant to be lived as a family, in prayer, uniting ourselves to His Passion. It’s also good for the children to see that following the Lord sometimes means saying no to certain plans. I’m not saying the plan is bad, or that anything wrong would happen—but right now, it’s simply not what I should do.
Mother,
help us to discern what the Lord wants for our lives, for our marriage, and for our family—and give us the strength to do it. Blessed be the Lord!