“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” (MT 22: 2)

God is love so the best language chosen by Him to speak about love comes from marriage and family life. It is much easier for us to understand God’s message when we participate at “a wedding feast” as guests or at our own wedding feast, or when we plan a wedding as parents for our children. We can imagine the rejection, sadness, and broken heart of the Father, Who wants to do everything for His children. We are invited to love unconditionally, to be free, creative, and joyful in giving; the more we love, the closer we are to God.  

“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)

“‘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)

“Rather” is for us, who can join only Our Lord’s spiritual family, but not for His mother, who belongs to Jesus’ earthly and spiritual family. She is blessed as a mother and as a disciple; Our Lady can teach us how to connect daily life, family life, and devotional life—never in opposition, but always in unity.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.” (LK 11: 16)

They saw a miracle when Our Lord “had driven out a demon,” and they tested Him. How hard it is to believe when people are wounded, rejected, or deceived. Hurt people hurt people. When we are tested or ignored, when people do not believe in our good intentions, it is good to remember what happened to Our Lord and how He was calm, forgiving, and continued to help them understand unconditional love.   

“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) 

“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: 9-10)

The most important is persistence. Practice makes progress; in every area—learning, studying, working, playing but also in praying and loving. When we reflect on what we can do better, when we start our days with the vision of five small victories we can make today, when we are grateful for what we received, we can constantly grow.

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.’” (LK 11: 1)

We are in lockdown and our “certain places” are not available. For some people, it is an excuse and they stop praying, and for some, it is an opportunity to reflect what is more important: a place or a Person? Are we also flexible and faithful with our weekly and monthly rituals when we can’t do it in an old-fashioned way?

“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!” (Gospel Acclamation)

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (LK 10: 42)

In the world of multitasking, being proud of doing a minimum of three things at the same time (exercise/audiobooks/in foreign language), having dinner with family and smartphones or tv, it is so good to remember “there is need of only one thing.” When we listen—just listen, when with the family—be with the family, when we love—just love, love unconditionally, and let’s be givers of selves.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” (LK 10: 29)

We spoke during Programs and here many times about being proactive or being reactive. We remember the difference: looking for an excuse or to take responsibility (extreme ownership). Today Gospel speaks about looking for an excuse, “to justify himself.” We want to go Our Lord’s way—do what should be done. Love is about giving unconditionally.

“I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” (MT 21: 43)

In our lives, we can have pleasure or joy and happiness. The difference is based on being an ego-centric and demander or other-centric and a giver. When we recognize the beauty of our vocation, we understand that the only way to be mature is to “produce fruits.”

“I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain.” (Gospel Acclamation)
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“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” (LK 18: 10)

An inspiration for us: “to look always upon the face of our heavenly Father.” The best what we can do is to surrender everything to Our Lord because only He knows what is the best for us and He takes care for us all the time; He even gave us one of these amazing creatures, the Angels, as Guardians, to protect us, to lead us and inspire us.

“Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (LK 10: 2)

“The harvest is abundant,” because whatever comes from God is abundant. He wants us to live in abundance; Our Lord doesn’t want us to have an average life, or relationship, or acceptable job or community. He wants us the best because our lives here, on Earth, are temporary and we belong to heaven. We are invited to support our brothers and sisters to help them to grow, to love fully, and in abundance. It could be by organizing Program, or Marriage Harbor, or taking care of their children to give them space for the date, or sharing with them our best practices. There is always a need for laborers, who love and who understand, how important is to live as givers, not demanders.

“The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)