Marriage Matters Reflections Year A
Marriage Matters Reflections Year A
No 11th Sunday in 2020
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Exodus 19:2-6 Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36-10.8)
Think of all the blessings
Priests offer sacrifice, and are ‘mediators’ between God and humans. Jesus was a Priest and a ‘mediator’, sacrificing Himself on the Cross and pleading, “Father forgive them”. Baptism made us ‘sharers’ in Christ’s Priesthood. At Mass, as a Priestly people, we join in His sacrifice and pray for ourselves and others. So, ‘serve the Lord with gladness’, counting our blessings.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20 1 Cor 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37)
Making the right choices
Choices! How difficult sometimes to make the right choices. What to eat today, how to save money, what clothes to wear, what we or our children need. For Christians, prayer and a set of Christian values influence the choices we make. Why not ask the Lord’s help to decide what issue is uppermost for us today and dialogue about it?
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 58:7-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16)
Unity is the key
When we married, a new flame was lit in our Church, signified by the lighting of a new candle as we made our vows and became “Little Church” together. Now, as we think of our life up to now, we can see how our love has been reflected on to our children, our family and our Church community.
(No 4th Sunday in 2020)
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 1 Cor 1:26-31 Matt 5:1-12)
Being human - we are human be-ings, not do-ings
With the ever-increasing pace of life, when do we get a chance ‘to be’? Today, the Word of God is intended to relate more to the deeper aspects of our humanity and the inner essence of our being, and the qualities of our personhood. It’s about the ways we relate to each other in our marriages, our families, our communities.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 Matt 4:12-23)
God has a stake in our marriage
Today, we see two aspects of God’s plan for our marriage: ‘… (I will make) their joy increase’ (Isaiah) and ‘I will make you fishers of men’ (Matthew). God wants us to make our love for each other as close to Jesus’ love for us as possible, that all whose lives we touch might experience how much God loves them.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 49:3 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34)
We need ‘power from on high’
Were Jesus’ fears eased when he heard the Father was ‘well pleased’? He was empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin his mission: to bring to the world the Good News of God’s compassion, mercy and forgiveness for our sins. By daily dialogue about concerns and issues and by seeking ‘help from on high’, we can overcome our fears.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .
The Baptism of the Lord (Isaiah 42:1–4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17)
You are my chosen one
Today, Isaiah and Matthew talk of Jesus being ‘the Chosen One’ and ‘the Beloved’. So often, we are aware of the times when our partner annoys us. We need to develop a sensitivity so that, when we are tempted to be critical, we remember that this is my ‘chosen one’ and look for ways to affirm our partner, our ‘beloved’.
.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
The Presentation of the Lord (Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40)
Avoiding issues to ‘keep the peace’?
When Mary and Joseph went to the Temple, Simeon blessed them, saying their child would be rejected. When we take our child for baptism, we are given a candle, a reminder ‘to keep the flame of faith alive’. This can be difficult, but let us not avoid the issues ‘to keep the peace’, but grow in listening and trust together.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .
The Epiphany of the Lord (Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12)
Give every fibre of our being
The gift we can give to Jesus and to one another is ourselves. No matter how long we have been married, let us still enjoy unwrapping the gift of self. Just as, through the grace of God, the ‘wise men’ went another way, not the world’s way, so can we, by giving our whole selves, every fibre of our being.
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) .
Second Sunday of Christmas (Eccles 24:1-2.8-12 Ephesians 1:3-6,15-18 John 1:1-18)
He chose us to be holy and spotless
He chose us “to be holy and spotless and to live through love in his presence”. ‘Holy and spotless’....with all the messiness of our lives...clothes, toys, all over the floor, washing up in the sink? Yes. ‘Holy!’...‘through loving’. So, whether cleaning up the mess or working to earn money, you are doing loving things. You are ‘holier’ than you think!
Reflection from Marriage Matters
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Mary, Mother of God (Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21)
A new title
On our wedding day we received a new and special title of ‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’. These titles announce to our family and friends our unique and special place in God’s plan for us, His Church, and the world. In celebrating this Feast Day let us remember who we are and, like Mary, ‘treasure and ponder it in our hearts’.
Page 6 of 7
