He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.

December 18, 2020 9:21 pm

‘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)

What you have seen and heard

December 16, 2020 3:00 am

“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) 

He changed his mind and went.

December 15, 2020 3:00 am

“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) 

Of heavenly or human origin

December 14, 2020 3:00 am

“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)

Perseverance 

November 25, 2020 3:00 am

“By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” (LK 21: 19)

Perseverance is a virtue. The dictionary describes it this way: “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” Married life and family life are a perfect environment to grow in this virtue: loving our differences, day by day changing our old habits and creating better ones, seeing our children grow and helping them to mature, and so on. Never, ever give up; this helps us start a new day with new hope and ideas, knowing that God is always there when we need His help. 

“Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Which commandment in the law is the greatest? 

October 25, 2020 3:00 am

“‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (MT 22: 36-40) 

We have similar questions, but on a more daily basis: what should I do right now? How can I use my “free time” more effectively? Do I have time for my prayer, or do I have time for my readings? All of these are simple questions of my hidden priorities—who is the first and the most important in our lives? And the only answer for all of these questions is very simply—will it bring me closer to unconditional love? Will it help me to love God “with all my heart, soul, and mind”? And will it help me to love my spouse and our children “with all my heart, soul and mind”? There is nothing more important than to grow in love. God is love and whatever we do to be closer to Him, to imitate Him, brings Him directly to our hearts. 

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Send out laborers for his harvest

October 1, 2020 9:53 pm

“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)

From one town and village to another

September 18, 2020 3:00 am

“Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.” (LK 8: 1)

On one hand, it would be so nice to stay in the same place, work with the same group of people, and have a stable situation. On the other hand, there is also another vocation, to be all the time moving “from one town and village to another.” More difficult, more challenging, less understood, or accepted. It would be nice to have regular Programs in a few places, working with the same group of people and having stable lives, but we are invited to follow Our Lord’s example, moving Programs to new destinations, working with new people, and being in our journey all the time. Good coaches don’t sit on the bench when the world is in need. 

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation)

With authority and power

September 1, 2020 3:00 am

“They were all amazed and said to one another, ‘What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’” (LK 4: 36) 

“Authority and power” comes only from love. The more we love, the more we have authority and power. When people do things by force, they are focused on themselves; when we do things using power, we are focused on others and our motivation comes from love. 

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

He was there alone

August 9, 2020 4:00 am

“After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.” (MT 14: 23)

For so many of us it is so difficult to be alone; always music in the background, always headphones, TV almost non-stop on. Remedy for bad days: shopping or alcohol—I deserve it. New objects, new people, new places—everything is better than being alone. But the only way to meet our true self, to meet Our Lord Who knows us perfectly (and loves unconditionally) is to be alone. In the beginning, it could be scary and hard, but with every moment and with every day we will more and more easy. And we will soon happy with every moment of solitude.

“I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.” (Gospel Acclamation)