‘When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (MT 1: 24)
This is the basic spirituality of every pious Jewish: “Shema Israel—listen to Israel;” listen to the Lord and do what He says. His word is first. When we listen, we know what to do. This is why it is so good to have every day a time to listen, to meditate, and to put His words into action. And because we are created in His image and likeness, couples must have their daily rituals to listen and know each other from a deeper perspective. When we do this daily, weekly, and monthly, we can grow in our relationship and support each other to be the best spouses for each other.
“O Leader of the House of Israel, the giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.” (MT 1: 1-2)
God became human, and He chose our genealogy to be really a part of our nature. What dignity of our nature. When we feel trapped in our temptations, in our weaknesses, and our poor physical or emotional condition, it is good to remember that Our Lord also lived in the same nature and, knowing our limits and condition, will always help us, “guiding with power and love.”
“O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” (LK 7: 22)
This is the best way to proclaim the Gospel: “Tell what you have seen and heard.” The Gospel and Our Lord’s mission is not a theory or nice reflection about the world, but concrete teaching about God’s love for men. When we share with other couples what we experience at the Program and how the Program has changed our lives, they can see and hear; our example can inspire them.
“Raise your voice and tell the Good News: Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.” (MT 21: 28-29)
How grateful we should be for our ability to “change our mind.” We can start a difficult conversation or argument with a spouse, and in one moment, we can say—I am sorry and change the whole situation immediately. It is good to remember that there is always time to reflect, to convert, to be better, and to love more.
“Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“They discussed this among themselves and said, ‘If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” (MT 21: 25-26)
They put a trap on themselves with their question. Now they need to answer, recognizing Our Lord’s teaching origin: of heavenly or human origin? We could have the same problem in our lives with recognition: I am called to be married, but my spouse is not good for me, or I am called to be married, am I good for my spouse? Marriage is not to be loved (only), but to love my spouse unconditionally and not happy for what I receive from him/her, but happy for being a gift for my spouse.
“Show us, LORD, your love, and grant us your salvation.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“‘What do you have to say for yourself?’ He said: ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (JN 1: 22-23)
A question for our identity: “what do you have to say for yourself.” People will recognize who we are when we recognize our identity and our mission. It will be a totally different person when we see in him a mechanic, or manager or CEO when we recognize in her a dentist, a professor, or a mom. When we know who we are, our mission is clearer, our actions are more coherent, and we serve better in this world.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (LK 1: 38)
Only God knows who we are, our destiny, where to go, and how to serve. Our ego will lead us only to support ourselves; only love knows how to make our lives really happy in loving service to others. Our Lady will help us be like Her—fully in love and service to God’s plans.
“Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (MT 11: 19)
This is so comforting: “A friend of tax collectors and sinners.” He knows everything about “eating and drinking”; He knows everything about loving, being with people, and taking care of relationships. He chose to be with us, normal people, who desperately need Someone Who understands our needs, Who can help us grow and have a vision for our future, and will lead us to be the best in loving ever.
“The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (MT 11: 11)
Who is greater? Who is the first? The most important? Even the Apostles had a problem with this “competition.” Our Lord showed that the greatest comes with “the Kingdom of heaven,” and it comes from Him and is based on how much we love. Who is greater: husband or wife? For him—she is, for her—he is, because they love, and true love is in giving, not demanding.
“Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (MK 11: 28)
Rest is so important. When we are rested, we have inner peace, we are in touch with ourselves, and we can react properly with others. Unfortunately, we do not know how to rest; we try different things: movies, television, bar, visiting friends. It might bring rest, but all these actions are just actions. When we come to Our Lord, He will give us rest: being loved, being respected, time for a walk, our daily rituals, time in prayer, or with a book. Rest is when we are more in-person, more conscious of who we are, more in our identity.
“Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
