“No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master.” (MT 10: 24-25)
Our Lord wants for us to be like Him. He was never jealous of His authority and powers and shared this with His apostles. Today, He sharing with us the same love and protection for all lives on earth. We received His very concern to protect marriages and the quality of spouses’ lives. We can imagine that He is always behind us, supporting our activity and smiling, seeing how much we do for others.
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” (MT 10: 16)
Our Lord inspires us to be very creative when we are serving others. It is good to remember that we live not only in a nice environment, supporting our family life fully, but also in an environment that is against marriage, devotional life, and generosity. Sometimes we need to change strategies. When we see a sad child it is good to take them to the movie for comedy, instead of giving them advice like: don’t be sad. Or take for a long walk a child who is on very high energy.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (MT 10: 7)
The same proclamation to all scenarios: “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We are not proclaiming ourselves; we bring people God’s presence, God’s love, and God’s protection. Our role is to be ambassadors of God’s love. To bring the beauty of marriage to every spouse and every family.
“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” (MT 10: 1)
Our Lord is sharing with us His authority. Over unclean spirits, and to cure every disease and every illness. I believe that we receive His special authority over people united by the sacrament of marriage—probably the most urgent area to serve. It is so good to remember—He is always with us and protects us.
“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.” (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.” (MT 9: 37-38)
When we serve couples with our Programs, we see “the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Sometimes we have priests, but no coaches, sometimes we have coaches ready to serve, but no priest or place or global situation makes it impossible. But we can always “ask the master of the harvest” to help. He is more involved than we can imagine. It could be our daily request: “send out laborers for his harvest.”
“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed him.” (MT 9: 23-24)
What we call “death” Our Lord calls “sleep.” And “ridiculed him” because they knew better. Our Lord brings new meanings, new understanding. What we call crisis and damage; He sees potential and a new opportunity, a new beginning, and a new start. When we serve couples in crisis in our Programs, we often see hope and a new chance for them. Who’s stronger? Crisis or Jesus? We need to invite Our Lord to their relationship and good strategies. He takes care. Always!
“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.” (MK 6: 1)
Sometimes coming to our “native place” is not a comfort. Rather very distractive and disappointed. We naturally expect to be recognized and supported among “our people.” Our Lord shows us that following Him can be difficult when visiting our relatives or neighbors. Our parents or our siblings may not be happy seeing what we do for others, may not be supportive of our service to the Programs, or refuse to take care of our children because we spend too much time (in their opinion) serving others. When we have a supporting environment, let’s be very grateful.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’” (JN 20: 28-29)
How many of us will use the opportunity to blame Thomas? How could you? You are my apostle! You spent three years with me, and you don’t believe? Even when your brother apostles told you? Our Lord accepted Thomas’s condition and permitted him to make his checking list. We have a more difficult situation, and Our Lord knowing this gives us more blessings and admiration when we believe. When our children don’t believe—stop judging them: love them more.
“You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (MT 9: 12-13)
Maybe, this is one of the installed programs from our childhood—we need to be right and polite to have others’ attention; the condition to be accepted and rewarded. Our Lord “didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” He came to express His Father’s love to every creature, to everyone, because when we are unconditionally loved, we can fully answer to our identity. Hurt people—hurt people, loved people—love people.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (The Gospel Acclamation)
“And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.’” (MT 9, 2)
Our Lord saw “a paralytic lying on a stretcher,” but He saw the faith of the people who brought the paralytic to Him. We can often pray for those who are far away from the faith, who are lost, and who have stopped believing. Our Lord respects friend’s support and makes miracles for people in need.
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)
