“Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we would like to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.” (JN 12: 20-22)

I have no idea why Philip went to Andrew and “then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus,” but I like the idea of being concerned, asking for help from friends, and looking for the best answers. Philip asked, but two of them went to Our Lord. It looks like it is the same with married couples who are united to meet Jesus. They ask Jesus for their children and their friends; they ask Our Lord for other couples and are so happy that people “like to see Jesus.” Probably today, more people don’t want to see Him, but still, we can ask Our Lord for help. 

“Whoever serves me must follow me, says the Lord; and where I am, there also will my servant be.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, ‘Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?’” (JN 7: 50-51)

One of the most important strategies from our Programs are: “defend your spouse from accusations, even though the accusations come from you.” It is not easy, but it is so crucial for communication, for a good relationship. How often we think that our interpretation is the only right interpretation. What we prefer—to be right or to be happy together?

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.” (MT 1: 16)

So simple, modest title: “the husband of Mary,” and with this beginning, the history of our redemption started. When we recognize our identity, when we do everything possible to fulfill this vocation, miracles are coming because it is not about us and what we can do, but about God, His love to us, Who ga us vocation, the mission to discover and to complete. When we do our part, God’s part comes. And makes simple things universal, outstanding, and beyond our imagination.

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“But you do not want to come to me to have life.” (JN 5: 40)

We have two kinds of activity: things which are necessary and important. The necessary things are essential for our survival, and we do not have options to discuss with it like we need food, sleep, water. Things there are important are based on our freedom, like prayer, relationship, friendship; we can’t force anybody to be with us. Prayer has no authority to make us pray. Our relationship with God, our prayer, our love to Him is based on our free will, on our own choice. We come because we “want to come to Him to have life” knowing how many people “do not want to come to have life.” It is so scary—how important we are for Our God, so He gave us free will to choose Him or… reject. And He still loves us unconditionally.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only- begotten Son so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Jesus answered the Jews: ‘My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.’” (JN 5: 17)

Love is always active, always “at work.” Love is not only about experiencing and receiving but also in giving, sharing, protecting, respecting, supporting, and being with—always “at work.”

“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” (JN 5: 14)

There is a connection between our soul and our body. Modern medicine calls the roots of many of our diseases “psychosomatic.” It is not only the physical reason for our sickness, but also there is a mindset, which is also responsible. This is why we pray for “a clean heart create for me, o God,” This is why Our Lord ordered the “ill for thirty-eight years”—“do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” We teach people in our Programs to take responsibility for the mindset, be proactive, defend spouses, be gentle, be respectful, and be givers of selves. Maybe in heaven, we will see how many of us became healthier, stronger, and happier. 

“A clean heart create for me, O God; give me back the joy of your salvation.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine.” (JN 4: 46)

Wherever Our Lord was, He was always concerned about His mission—to bring compassion, express God’s love, and lead people to heaven. It could be a wedding when “He had made the water wine,” or saving the boy’s life, or feeding thousands of people from 5 loaves of bread and two fishes; different actions, the same love.  

“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the LORD will be with you.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (J 3: 17)

Sometimes we can meet some “theological interpretations” about this coronavirus: Divine punishment, warring, a call to conversion and penance, etc. Is it the same God, Who “did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world”? Still we speak about the same God, God, Who is love? When we, parents, see our children’s bad choices, bad decisions, are we condemning them, expelling them, and asking God to send them a virus or earthquake? Only love is the solution, only love can motivate us, and only God, Who is Love, can save us. 

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (LK 18: 14)

Salvation comes from Salvator, and redemption comes from Redemptor, not from our actions, prayers, sacrifices, or fasting. God is the One Who came to save us, redeem us, and lead us to heaven. Being humble is understanding who’s who, what is my responsibility, and what is Our Lord’s. 

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Verse before the Gospel)

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,  with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (MK 12: 30)

We always speak about the four important parts of our lives: mind-set, heart-set, soul-set, and health-set. But this strategy is not about self-development, a nice model of growth in many areas, but a perfect way to love: Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Love is not only about the heart or about the soul, but it is also about mind and health. We love as human beings, totally, in all dimensions. 

“Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Verse before the Gospel)