“Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life.” (Is 55:3)

God’s concern reaches also our diet: “you shall eat well.” It is interesting that life mentioned by God comes more from listening than only from food – “listen, that you may have life.” We need food for daily life and God’s word for eternal life.

“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.” (Jer 26:13)

The Church will never get tired of protecting us. It does not defend us from God, but from the life where our “ways and deeds” are far away from His. Reform and listen, listen and reform. Make a daily ritual of some minutes with the Bible, learn how to listen to Him. Listen to His word daily and learn how you can inspire your family life and workplace with God’s presence. Reform and listen – a simple rule for an outstanding life.

“I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will appoint a shepherd to pasture them, and I, the Lord, will be their God.” (Entrance Antiphon)

” A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” (Mt 13: 57)

Difficult for everybody, but especially in married life. It reminds me of the beautiful paragraph no. 51 in Familiaris consortio, Apostolic Exhortation of St. John Paul II. One paragraph earlier the Pope wrote: “Since the Christian family is a community in which the relationships are renewed by Christ through faith and the sacraments, the family’s sharing in the Church’s mission should follow a community pattern: the spouses together as a couple, the parents and children as a family, must live their service to the Church and to the world. They must be “of one heart and soul”(117) in faith, through the shared apostolic zeal that animates them, and through their shared commitment to works of service to the ecclesial and civil communities”. (FC 50)

I like so much the expression: “community pattern: the spouses together as a couple.” It was from the beginning our idea for couch couples. It is the only way for practicing faith and role as prophets for couples.

Today I keep in my prayer all our couch couples, so thankful for their outstanding mission and also asking for special blessing, knowing how difficult their mission is in their “own house.”

“It was not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (Communion Antiphon)

“Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.” ( Jer 18:4)

Good news for us: whenever we “turn out badly,” God the Father can rescue us. We pray to understand our role in God’s plan, we pray for His blessing to fulfill our mission, and we listen to His words to never “turn out badly.”

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field…, is like a merchant searching for fine pearls…'” (Mt 13: 44-46)

Sometimes I am more focused on these images (“a treasure buried”, “a fine pearl”) than on IS. The Kingdom of heaven IS. Even if are so busy doing all our daily duties, our life and vocation is bigger than just to survive here on earth. We know where our destination is, to Whom we belong.

“I call you my friends, says The Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me” (Gospel Acclamation).

“‘Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: …’Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.’” (1 KGS 3: 5. 9)

God appreciated so much Solomon’s prayer: “Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—I now do as you request.” The Hebrew Bible uses here the expression: an “understanding heart,” which also means a “listening heart.” When I start my day with daily readings, with my “listening heart” I can distinguish “right from wrong” and I can listen to the others with compassion and love.

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

“Reform your ways and your deeds, so that I may remain with you in this place. Put not your trust in the deceitful words: ‘This is the temple of the LORD!The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD!’” (Jer 7: 3-4)

Our faith expresses itself through action, not an intention or emotion. It’s Jesus Christ who saves and not the buildings (even a most beautiful cathedral), Church membership or great retreats. When we reform our “ways and deeds,” He promised to remain with us.

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

“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” (2 Cor 4: 7)

One of our famous Christmas carols presents this paradox: God—is born, the Powers—tremble, the Lord of Heaven—stripped, fire—solidifies, brightness—darkens and the infinite—has boundaries. God gave His “treasure in earthen vessels,” because He shows His power through simple things. Instead of the nobles, He chose fishermen, and a simple house in Nazareth instead of a royal palace. We were chosen by His love, not because we earned it.

“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord” (Gospel Antiphon)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you”… (Jer 1: 5)

I can read these words again and again. All God’s love expressed there helps me to understand my dignity, the reason/purpose for my life and His unconditional love for me. When I encounter difficulties with understanding myself, when I can’t understand my beloved ones and when I feel rejected I can come to God and listen to His words: His word heals.

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Gospel Antiphon)

“You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” (Micah 7: 19-20)

“You will cast,” “you will show,” “you have” make a difference in our life so often based on “I will,” “I have,” “I need”… Our Lord’s attention focused on us brings us all His blessing, compassion, grace and faithfulness. Our life based on Him impels us to live for others.

“The love of Christ impels us, so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised.” (Communion Antiphon)