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GOSPEL

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

From the Gospel according to Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

The gospel of the Lord.

“You are important to me”

Zacchaeus feels valued. He knows he is important to Jesus, and this leads him to convert and be saved. As spouses, to help each other towards salvation, we have to make the other feel important to both, me and God. We tend to diminish each other with our corrections, but it is only love that heals and saves. Jesus involves Himself in Zacchaeus’s salvation by y disregarding public opinions, that would affect his reputation, and staying at his house. Today, Jesus tells me: “Hurry, set aside all your securities because it is necessary that I rest within you today.”

Applied to married life:

Tony: Laura, I know you’re suffering. I want to accompany you in your suffering. Can I do so in the presence of the Lord?

Laura: Yes, thank you, Tony. Let’s place ourselves in His presence, and I’ll share it with you.

(After a few minutes)

Laura: Holy Spirit, guide me in expressing to Tony the challenges I’m facing. Tony, I felt hurt when you corrected me in public. I know it wasn’t your intention to hurt me, but that’s how I felt. I know you love me and don’t want to harm me, but I can’t help experiencing this pain that creates distance between us.

Tony: Wow, Laura. I truly regret being the cause of your suffering. Making you suffer is the last thing I want. How can I help you in moving past this? I’ll do whatever it takes.

Laura: It would be helpful if we prayed and contemplated certain stations of the cross together, aligning ourselves with the Lord’s sacrifice. Would you join me?

Tony: Certainly, Laura. I love the idea. Together, we can see this situation through God’s eyes to understand His loving designs.

Mother,

May we help each other with and for love. Praise be to the Lord.