She replied and said to him

February 14, 2019 6:00 am

“The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.’ She replied and said to him, ‘Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.’ When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.” (MK 7: 26-30)

Our Lord was happy with her dialog. She was so concerned, not about herself, but about her daughter. She fought for her daughter and was able to accept all kinds of humiliation. The same happens when couples are fighting for their spouses’ good, not for themselves.

“Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” (Gospel Acclamation)

From his heart

February 13, 2019 6:00 am

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (MK 7: 20-23)

How frightening it is—all of these horrible things could be in our hearts. How important it is to protect our hearts and make them full of gentleness, respect and the free, creative and joyful gift of self. When our hearts are connected with Our Lord’s Most Sacred Heart, we can bring so many benefits to our relatives and friends.

“Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth.” (Gospel Acclamation)

They laid the sick in the marketplaces

February 11, 2019 6:00 am

“Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.” (MK 6: 56)

Meeting Jesus means that we would like to share Him with others. We take care of the most wounded people in need; for example, participants of our Programs want to bring the benefits of it to friends and relatives. Love always wants to share.

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

at your command

February 10, 2019 6:00 am

“After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.” (LK 5: 4-6)

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets”—this is about trust and about faith. When we bring our relationship to the Program I and You equals WE, Jesus will invite us put it “into deep water.” We could be tired of trying to survive in our relationship, but when we are invited by Our Lord, we can experience miracles.

“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Gospel Acclamation)

a deserted place

February 9, 2019 6:00 am

“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.” (MK 6: 31-32)

All of us need “a deserted place and [to] rest a while.” We are busy as workers, as parents and friends; there is no time for us to be just who we really are: husbands and wives. A weekend with a spouse to reflect our identity during the I and You = We Program helps to rest and enjoy our true selves.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Wherever you enter a house

February 7, 2019 6:00 am

“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” (MK 6: 10-11)

“Wherever you enter a house”; houses are still the best option for those who work with families (my brothers from our community and I prefer to stay with families when traveling to different cities and countries). A hotel is a nice option for rest and recovery, (sometimes very needed), but a house is the best place to learn about marriage and family life and to experienced Our Lord’s life. Jesus did not recommended to stay in inns, but He told his apostles to “enter a house, [and] stay there until you leave from there.”

“The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Jesus came to his native place

February 6, 2019 4:38 pm

“Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished.” (MK 6: 1-2)

Our Lord had His native place, like we do. He lives in Heaven with His Father and the Holy Spirit; He lives also with us. He knows how important it is to have a place you can call “native place”; it is connected with traditions, language, family members, neighbors and friends. We are not alone; we are connected with others, and we live for others. This is important for our places, and this is important for Heaven.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The Leader and Perfecter of faith

February 5, 2019 4:07 pm

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” (HBR 12: 1-2)

When we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we can learn from Him how to love more and better because He is our “Leader and Perfecter of faith.” He leads us to be more gentle, more respectful, more givers than demanders , etc. Our Lord, “the perfecter of faith,” helps us to grow in our relationship with God and in our relationships with our spouses and relatives.

“Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Gospel Acclamation)

And all were amazed

February 4, 2019 6:00 am

“But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, ‘Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.’ Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.” (MK 5: 19-20)

We meet Our Lord in our lives in different ways and in different moments, through the sacrament of penance or touched by God’s Word, during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or after Holy Communion. Whatever Our Lord does for us is not only for us: “go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”

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

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you

February 3, 2019 6:00 am

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (JER 1: 4-5)

How amazing are these words, and what a huge relief they bring: “BEFORE I formed you in the womb I knew you.” We were loved and planned even before our parents had any idea about our existence. We were created by God, and we are so important to Him because He gave us a mission. Everyone has a purpose in life.

“The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives.” (Gospel Acclamation)