Gospel of the Day
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 16:24–28
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples:
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
The Language of Marriage
As we read this Gospel, we see how the Lord teaches us the true key to love.
This is the language of our Lord, the Bridegroom of the Church. It is completely different from the message we hear in the world: whoever loses his life for Him—who is Love itself—will find it. In other words, I surrender my own will and my own way of thinking (my pride, my self-centredness, my laziness…) so that Christ may grow within me and within my marriage.
He grows whenever I choose to renounce myself out of love. He grows when I listen to my spouse instead of criticising. He grows when I seek to understand my spouse instead of keeping a record of wrongs.
In short, Christ—who is Love and the Bridegroom of the Church—grows in our marriage when we allow Him to act.
So let us give our lives through Him, with Him, and in Him, so that we may begin to live the Kingdom of Heaven here and now: in our hearts, in our marriage, and in our family.
Who does not want to discover true life as soon as possible? Let us not wait!
Applied to Married Life
Pepe: Laura, I was thinking of visiting my mum this Saturday.
Laura: I was actually going to suggest that we try the new café that has just opened on the estate and enjoy an aperitif there.
Pepe: That sounds like a lovely idea, but I’m happy with whatever you prefer.
Laura: You know, a few years ago I would have insisted on going to the café to try their famous tapas. But now that we’re praying together each day, and I’m learning what really matters to you, I’d rather give that up and go and visit your mum, because I know it makes you happy.
Pepe: Laura, you have no idea how much that means to me. I adore you!
Laura: And I love seeing you happy.
Prayer
Mother Mary,
Teach us that the law and the language of love may always reign between us, so that, together with Christ, we may help build His Kingdom of Love within our home.
Blessed be the Lord!