Marriage Matters Reflections Year A

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .

Fourth Sunday of Lent (1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13  Eph 5:8-14 John 9:1, 6-9,13-17, 34-38)

Stop and see, be aware

God was aware of David’s adultery with Bethsheba, Uriah’s wife, and how he arranged Uriah’s murder to cover his sin. Amid political and business ‘cover ups’ in today’s world, it’s important to ‘stop and see’ ‒ the beauty of nature, the beauty and goodness of your spouse. Don’t be too busy to recall the joys you have brought to each other.  

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 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) 

St Joseph (2 Sam 7:4-5, 12-14, 16  Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22  Matt 1:16, 18-21, 24 (or Luke 2:41-51)

I will be with you always

Today we hear of hurt – Joseph’s (Matthew) and Mary’s (Luke).  Whenever we are hurt, it is important to recall that Jesus said ‘I will be with you always’.  For example, in times of difficulty, when we are struggling to make decisions, but see things differently, He is there, giving us the strength and courage to listen lovingly to each other.

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)

Third Sunday of Lent (Exodus 17:3-7   Romans 5:1-2, 5-8   John 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42)

Find our ‘living water’

Jesus’ message to the woman at the well reminds us of His first miracle at Cana where He changed water into wine. Today, He promises us “living water where we will never be thirsty again…a spring inside…welling up to eternal life”. When His grace is poured into us, into our marriages, it can overflow, strengthening us, reaching out to others

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .

Second Sunday of Lent   (Genesis 12:1-4a   2 Timothy 1:8-10   Matthew 17:1-9)

Transformed by our love

Sometimes life is hard and we can get lost in the daily grind of making ends meet, of getting things done.  Then, suddenly, a change occurs through a simple show of affection: a kiss, a touch, a loving glance from my beloved! In little gestures like these, we reveal again our love for each other and our relationship is transformed!

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 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .

First Sunday of Lent (Genesis 2:7-9; 3: 1-7    Romans 5:12-19    Matthew 4:1-11)

Avoid independence

Today, both Eve and Jesus are tempted to become independent, to turn away from the love of God. In marriage, we can think we have a right to fulfil our own desires without considering our partner, but we need to share these deepest hopes and dreams, and be prepared to hear the impact on our loved one and our relationship.

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 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .

Ash Wednesday (Joel 2:12-18  2 Corinthians 5:20-6.2  Matthew 6:1-6,16-18)

Turn anew to each other

Our loving, compassionate, merciful and forgiving Father is always saying ‘come back to me’, ‘repent and be reconciled to me and to each other’.  In our marriage, issues or hurts can result in ‘losing’ each other. It’s time to ‘come back’ to each other, be compassionate and forgiving....and back to our loving Father in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!

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 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) 

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lev 19:1-2, 17-18    1 Cor 3:16-23   Matt 5:38-48)

Finding the joy in our sacramental relationship

The joy of courting couples is obvious for all to see. Over the years, excitement can lessen, our independent attitudes strengthen; competition and jealousy creep in. Today Jesus calls us to “…turn the other cheek...”.  In confidence share, in trust listen, in faith forgive, so that our spouse will grow in self-worth and the sparkle of joy will reignite.

No 8th Sunday in 2020

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) 

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 49:14-15   1 Cor 4:1-5   Matthew 6:24-34)

Have the heart of a servant towards each other

St Paul said, “People must think of us as Christ’s servants”. In marriage, it’s an invitation to have a servant heart towards each other. Is it easier to give at work, the Church, or elsewhere? Yet “no one can be the slave of two masters”. How big is the challenge to make you and our marriage my number one priority?

No 9th Sunday in 2020

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) 

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Deut 11:18, 26-28,32   Rom 3:21-25, 28   Matt 7:21-27)

Let us build our house on rock to last

Jesus tells the people, and us, to build our houses on rock. With our ‘yes’ on our wedding day, the foundation stone was laid; each ‘yes’ since then has strengthened our building. Each time we make love, giving ourselves totally, we are saying ‘yes’ to the way of life that God has called us to; our intimacy is our strength

No 10th Sunday in 2020

 Reflection from Marriage Matters

(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) 

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Hosea 6:3-6 Romans 4:18-25 Matthew 9:9-13)

          In the little things we glorify God

Today, with our love deeply embedded in our married relationship, the little courtesies, the steadying hand, the linking arm have come to mean so much more than those tiny gestures could ever mean in themselves. We still look forward with excitement to what each new day may bring, offering ...“one sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving which gives glory to God”.