Wow: Reflection for Marriages: Luke 9:51-56

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.

Word of the Lord

Wow!

Santiago and Juan must have been quite impulsive. That’s probably why Jesus called them the “sons of thunder.” The truth is, there are few times when Jesus “rebukes” his disciples, but this is one of those occasions. Wishing harm upon someone, no matter how great the wrong they’ve done, deserves a serious reprimand from God. The Lord does not desire anyone’s destruction, not even His enemies. He desires restoration and conversion. That should be the wish of all God’s children.

Applied to married life:

Marta: I’ve told you a thousand times to be more careful with the chairs. If they hit the wall, they chip the paint. 
Alberto: Oh, come on! You’re always correcting me. Don’t do this, be careful with that… It’s exhausting! 
(A few minutes later, Marta accidentally drops a jar of tomato sauce, splattering the wall and everything around it.) 
Alberto: (Thinks: Wow! I’m so glad! Now I can rub it in about the wall and show her she’s not so perfect…No! That would be revenge against myself. It would mean taking pleasure in her misfortune, and that’s not what God wants. Besides, I love her so much. Poor thing, she must be feeling awful, knowing how hard she is on herself when she makes a mistake. I’m going to encourage her and help her clean.) 
Alberto: Oh no, sweetheart, what bad luck. Don’t worry, we all make mistakes. Don’t feel bad—it’s just stuff, and you’re worth so much more. Let’s clean it up together, okay? But please don’t feel upset about this. It breaks my heart to see you down… 
Marta: Thank you, love. You’re such an example to me in this. I’ll ask the Lord to help me be as understanding with you next time and to care more about how you’re feeling than about the situation.

Mother,

The Lord came to save, not to condemn. Through faith, we know that among us is a Love that has made us one. May we always be aware of this. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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