GOSPEL

“I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

From the Gospel according to Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Victims and oppressors.

Pope Francis emphasizes this Gospel a lot. . It’s crucial not to categorize myself as “the good one” or “the victim” while labeling my spouse as the oppressor. No! That is a temptation from Satan.

As Saint Therese said: If I haven’t stumbled in something, it’s because the good Father, in His infinite mercy, has removed it from my path before I could trip over it.

If the Lord allows my spouse to stumble where I haven’t, it’s because, in His mercy, He has chosen that path to rescue him. So, I am the beloved of the Lord, and my spouse represents the Lord. End of story!

When I stop accusing my spouse, that day I will begin to be a light in the darkness, as today’s first reading says. As long as I continue to accuse him, even if only in my heart, there will be more darkness in me than in my spouse. And I want to be a merciful child, just as our Father is merciful.

Applied to Married Life:

Isabel: Today, Lord, I come to ask for your compassion because I accused my husband in my heart. . Unaware of the gravity of my actions, I now realize that I hindered rather than helped my husband draw closer to you but have been a cause of scandal for him.

Dan:. Lord, I admire Your mercy because I acknowledge my inability to love as purely as You do. Allow us the grace to reside in Your heart and love as You do

Isabel: Forgive me, Dan. God loves so much…!. Feel loved by Him, as I am not giving you the love you need.

Dan: Forgive me, Isabel. Feel infinitely loved by the Lord, as I am not giving you the love you need.

Mother,

May this Gospel penetrate and transform our hearts as Christian spouses. Fortunately for us, God is merciful and sees our repentant hearts. Praise be to Him forever.