“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.” (LK 12: 8-9)
In every day there are many occasions to “acknowledge Our Lord before others”: a prayer before a meal, a sign of the Cross passing a church, a Bible on my desk, a cross or medallion on my neck… Marriage and family life are unique places, where we can share our love for God, Who—even if hidden in our hearts—can speak “loudly” through our actions.
“The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.” (ROM 4: 7-8)
We are loved by Our Lord, not because we are perfect, but because we are His children. In opposition: we are sinners, and we are weak; we have temptations, dilemmas and doubts. But we know where to bring our sins and Who can “forgive and cover” our sins and in Whom we have put our hope.
“May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.” (LK 11: 53-54)
What a different perspective “the scribes and Pharisees” used to listen to Our Lord. Instead of using Jesus’ words to change themselves, they used His words “to catch him at something he might say.” Our Lord came with words of love and compassion, with respect and a new perspective for us; how blessed we are to recognize Him as “the way and the truth and the life.”
“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” (LK 10: 1)
Our Lord is always on the road to us: “to every town and place he intended to visit.” And He comes with only one message: “I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” We are loved and chosen–we are important.
“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous by faith will live.’” (ROM 1: 16-17)
The Gospel is a powerful help for everyone who believes. Whenever we are in doubt or suffering or when we are experiencing difficulties or lack of hope—we can always start again with the Gospel: “the word of God is living and effective.”
“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“To all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ROM 1: 7)
“Grace and peace” is always and foremost the first message from Our Lord directed to us. He wants for us all the best and supports us with grace and peace. Grace supports our natural virtues and strengthens us; peace calms our fears and timidities.
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.” (PHIL 4: 12-14)
“In every circumstance and in all things,” whatever we do, we can do it “in Him who strengthens me [us];” like St. Theresa the Great and many other saints used to say: Theresa alone means nothing and can do nothing, but Theresa and Jesus—Theresa is a saint and can do everything. We also, instead of seeing problems and difficulties, can look at Jesus and ask for solutions and opportunities. He will always “enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.”
“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.’ He replied, ‘Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.’” (LK 11: 27-28)
The praise of Our Lady by “a women from the crowd” met an additional praise from Her Son, Our Lord: “blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” She is doubly blessed because Our Lady was and still is the first among those who “hear the word of God and observe it.” Whatever we do, we can ask Her for help and inspiration on how to be a person who merits Our Lord’s blessing.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, into the house of the LORD, your God, and cry to the LORD!” (JL 1: 14)
When we hear about “a fast,” we naturally think about Lent. But fasting has an important role in our tradition and is not temporary or limited to Lent. Fasting is about our freedom; it is about strengthening our free will and ability to say “no” to something which is wrong. Fasting supports our fight with our weaknesses: when we sin by watching, we can control what we look at; when we sin by listening to all kind of rumors, we can limit our music, etc.
“The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. ‘And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’” (LK 11: 8-10)
Our Lord teaches us to be persistent: “ask and you will receive, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God doesn’t need to be informed, but we need to be with Him in constant relationship. Like people in love are never tired of repeating how much they love each other, or like children and parents who repeat it without end. When we “ask and seek or knock,” we show to Our Lord that we totally depend on Him–that we can’t live without Him.
“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son” (Gospel Acclamation)
