God is for us

October 31, 2019 6:00 am

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?” (ROM 8: 31-32)

The more often we meditate on Our Lord’s love for us, the more comfort and more gratitude will be present in our lives. Too often we allow daily problems to dominate in our lives and take peacefulness from our hearts. The same happens in our relationship when we focus on one wrong sentence or reaction of our spouse, forgetting all the support, loving presence, and friendship we have receive for so many years.  

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

all things work for good 

October 30, 2019 6:00 am

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (ROM 8: 28)

This is really good news—“all things work for good for those who love God.” When we work hard and we can’t see results, it is good to remember these words: “all things work for good.” So maybe it wasn’t good for me; maybe we tried to do it for our own glory and not to praise God. Even so, because Our Lord loves us, He wants all the best for us. 

“God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Like a mustard seed

October 29, 2019 6:00 am

“It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.’” (LK 13: 19) 

When we created our simple strategies, simple steps after every subject of our Programs, we based them on the same idea: “it is like a mustard seed”; they are small, simple (doesn’t mean easy!), inconspicuous, almost difficult to recognize in daily life, but “when fully grown, it became a large bush.” Every person will found there an amazing shelter. 

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

build together

October 28, 2019 6:00 am

“Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (EPH 2: 21-22)

How beautiful is a relationship where both of the spouses feel united working continuously to “build together a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” How proud of us is the Holy Family, recognizing in us the life they had. How happy could be our children and relatives inspired by our effort to protect our love daily. 

“We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

O God, be merciful to me a sinner

October 27, 2019 6:00 am

“But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” (LK 18: 13)

In Program 1, we showed the difference between making the examination of the conscience of our spouse or our own.  It is always much easier to find something wrong with him or her; for ourselves, we have plenty of excuses. I want to say today very consciously: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” 

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

the ground around it

October 26, 2019 6:00 am

“’For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (LK 13: 7-9)

We learn from our Programs how important it is to protect our relationship with our spouse — stronger relationship, the strongest is our children and our relationship with others. Today’s Gospel recommends to us also the importance of “the ground around”; it is better when we have a good community where we can go regularly and meet people who think the same way as we do. Our Marriage Harbor helps us to grow, because it (the harbor) not only “cultivates the ground around it” but also “fertilize it.” 

“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

At war with the law of my mind

October 25, 2019 6:00 am

“For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” (ROM 7: 22-23)

We are at war. When we give primacy to “the law of our mind,” we can build the world which brings peace to everybody—our spouses, our children, our neighbors, and our colleagues; we are gentle and respectful, we are givers and protectors. When we give primacy to “the law of sin that dwells in my members,” nobody is happy; sin never brings peace and satisfaction. Protecting our time together sometimes needs a war between “my members” and “my mind,” but victory brings so many benefits. 

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

become slaves of God

October 24, 2019 6:00 am

“But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.” (ROM 6: 22)

It is a very special kind of slavery: “become slaves of God.” God, Who “freed us from sin,” “leads to sanctification,” and wants for us “eternal life”, respects our freedom and is the Father of his beloved children rather than the master of slaves. It is the same in marriage. We gave ourselves totally to our spouses, and because of the total gift of self, we are able to love freely, creatively, and joyfully. 

“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

a person entrusted with much

October 23, 2019 6:00 am

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (LK 12: 48)

I like to see this sentence from the opposite side: it is about requirements of course, but also, and foremost, about being entrusted with much and more. God’s grace is always first; before God will ask us of anything, He comes with His grace, support, assistance, and protection. When we think about requirements alone, without entrustment, we are losing something important. Marriage is a very great vocation, not easy, but also extremely equipped by God. 

“Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

grace overflowed all the more

October 22, 2019 6:00 am

“Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (ROM 5: 20-21)

This is Our Lord’s strategy for keeping balance in the world: “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” He is always more than we can imagine; He is first in love, first in mercy, and first with His grace to help us, to lead us, to protect us. When we meet some difficulties in our families, it is good to remember that it is just a call for more love, more gentleness, and more respect. Love is the only answer. 

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.” (Gospel Acclamation)