By His wounds you have been healed

“When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 PT 2: 23-24) 

Our Lord gives us an example of how to protect our relationships and how to grow together. The most important part is to be independent and free in our reactions: “when He was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten.” In marriage and family life, we are so connected, and sometimes it is so easy to answer the same way—we respond with malice for malice or with anger for anger. When we can stop these responses in ourselves, we can bring more peace and freedom to our families. And when we are wounded, we can bring our wounds to Him: “by His wounds we have been healed.” 

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation)