“Are you envious because I am generous?” (MT 20: 15) 

Generosity is important. Generosity is a sign of freedom from placing only placing hope in material goods; it goes together with compassion, respect and gentleness.

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” (MT 19: 23-24) 

A parable of impossibility. The problem is not only in possession, but in its mentality; “the Kingdom of heaven” is for human beings, not for human possessives. In heaven, we will be, not we will have. We cannot buy heaven.

“Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” (MT 19: 22) 

The classic question: “to be or not to be” here has another version: “to be or to have”-“He went away sad, for he had many possessions.” The same could happen to people, who “have many possessions”: a spouse and children, friends and relatives, but never in a relationship, they just have them. Between having and being there is a huge abyss. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” (HEB 12: 1-2)

Our Lord, “the leader and perfecter of faith,” didn’t look at the cross as an end of His life, He looked at the cross as a place to reunite us with His Father. He looked beyond the cross to the crown of glory prepared for Him by the Father. Whatever we do, we need to start with a vision of the end, with a bigger perspective; looking for today from the future.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” 
(Gospel Acclamation) 

“Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ After he placed his hands on them, he went away.” (MT 19: 13-15)

We can always bring our children to Jesus and ask Him to put “His hands on them and pray.” He knows that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Our Lord blessed marriage, made it a sacrament and supports parents in their mission. A child’s role in the family is so important, because Our Lord “revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom,” and also parents can learn from them. 

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?’” (MT 19: 3) 

The very old question, now popular: “is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” The problem is that the original question was first “to test” Our Lord and the second one-the perspective of this question. A man is not satisfied with his wife, so he has the right “to divorce his wife for any cause whatever.” We know Our Lord’s answer. He always protects God’s vision for marriage and our dignity. When we strengthen our love, when we protect our rituals, we are inspiring others to protect what God has made one flesh.

“Receive the word of god, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” (1 COR 15: 27)

Death, as “the last enemy” is also part of married couples lives; death who finishes marriage, who separates loved ones, who change their status to widows. We need to remember that this “last enemy” will be destroyed. In marriage, couples learn their whole lives how to fight against “death” in their relationship. Death from making their spouse their idealistic dream to fulfill. Death from looking on our differences as a problem, not an opportunity. Death from being a demander, always frustrated and always with expectations, instead of being a free, creative and joyful gift of self. Death from living only in “chronos” (and very rare in “Kairos”). And death from using communications to achieve what I want, not on how to understand my spouse better. When we are used to fighting “the last enemy” in our daily lives, Our Lord’s victory over death will be part of our lives easier.

“Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (MT 18: 20) 

Technically, married couples are the ones who can achieve this level naturally: they are married, living together, sleeping together, taking care of children together, etc.
But only technically, because in the people world, nothing works without inviting free will and reason. It is not only “gathered together,” it is also “in my name.” Now we talk about recognizing God’s will for us, about looking for common good for our unity with God and with our family; and this is more complicated than just “gathered together.”

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel said to him, ‘Be brave and steadfast, for you must bring this people into the land which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them; you must put them in possession of their heritage. It is the LORD who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.’” (DT 31: 7-8)

Moses shared with Joshua his very close relationship with God and his faith; He encouraged him to lead Israel and to follow God, Who “will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.” The same way we do with our relatives; when we pray, when we believe, we will naturally share with them our relationship with God. When we pray together with our spouses, our children receive the strongest foundation for their lives.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (LK 12: 35-36)

We do not know our future. We know our past and we have a moment to live our lives right now. We probably have met some people who are “living” in the future: tomorrow I will do it, maybe next year we can go on vacation, I’ll spend more time with my wife when I finish that project, etc. Our Lord warns us to take care of our lives today, and to “be like servants who wait their master’s return from a wedding.” Our relationship needs daily ritual, our children need to be loved today, our spouse was not kissed today… “Light your lamps” and look carefully where the space to improve your relationship is, where Your love is in need. 

“Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Gospel Acclamation)