Marriage Matters Reflections Year C

Marriage Matters Reflections Year C

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Gen 18: 20-32; Colossians 2: 12-24; Luke 11: 1-13)

We are called to trust each other with ourselves

Trust is the theme for today and as married couples we are called to trust each other enough to become ‘two in one flesh’. We need to listen sensitively to one another and to share our innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, worries and anxieties in such a way that we might both be fully human and fully alive.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Genesis 18:1-10; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)

Choosing ‘the better part’ is listening

The Gospel relates the different ways Martha and Mary behaved.  We too can fall into such patterns of behaviour. It’s human nature to “worry and fret over so many things”.  Today’s Scripture calls us to really listen, then, like Mary, we can choose “the better part”. Let us recommit today to deepening our level of listening in our marriage.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Deut 30:10-14; Col 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37)           

Bandaging each other’s wounds

The Good Samaritan ‘went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring wine and oil on them’. On the journey of life we wound ourselves and each other by our words, actions and omissions: our angry words, the withdrawal of affection, the broken promise. Open, honest dialogue ‘oils’ intimacy and we bind up each other’s wounds by asking and granting forgiveness. 

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 66:10-14; Gal 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20)

Romance is at the core of our calling

The theme of today’s readings is rejoicing.  Those who have had to be away from home know the thrill of returning – the hug, the kiss and perhaps making love.  But when every day is much like any other, we can lose the spark and we need to remember that romance is at the very core of our calling.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for the Feast of St Peter & Paul

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (Acts 12: 1-11;  2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)

Our time together is limited; take every opportunity to love

We are called by God like Peter and Paul.  In our case it is to grow in love and unity but, like them, our life of loving each other will end, so it’s important to take every opportunity to love. When we experience being apart, it is not time for blame or self-pity but time for listening and understanding.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for The Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Sacred Heart of Jesus (Ezekiel 34:11-16; Romans 5:5-11; Luke 15:3-7)

Love and forgiveness go together

Today’s readings are about love and forgiveness.  Our most desolate times are when we have caused hurt to one another.  The silence is unbearable and every task seems difficult.  At these times, we are called to set aside our own hurt, be responsible about our own part in the distance between us and ask for forgiveness.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for The Birth of John the Baptist

The Birth of John the Baptist (Jeremiah 1: 4-10; 1 Peter 1:8-12; Luke 1:5-17)

Discovering our true selves

We read today of God calling His prophets. What is our prophetic calling? The Church teaches that each of us can only discover our true self through ‘sincere self-giving’. Isn’t that what marriage is all about? Not for us to ‘cry in the wilderness’ but through our intimacy, seeking to love unconditionally; that’s our way of spreading the Good News

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Corpus Christi (Genesis14:18-20; 1 Corinthians11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17)       

Memories of You

Memories enable us to make the past present. .At family gatherings, we remember things we have shared together. At funerals we remember all that the person meant to us. At the family Eucharist the past is made present as we remember what Abraham, Melchizedek, Moses, and Jesus did. Let us seek to create God/good memories for ourselves and our children.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Holy Trinity (Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15)

Called to ‘mirror’ God

One way we ‘mirror’ the love of the Trinity is by becoming pro-creators with God of new life – our children, bringing new life to our own relationship! As we accept astonishing responsibility, we receive amazing blessings!  The Gospel ends: ...“the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us.”   

holyspiritwindowA Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11; Romans 8:8-17; John 14:15-16, 23-26)

The Holy Spirit is always there to help us

On our wedding day we were full of life and joy and visibly reflected the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.  But He has also been present at other times in our lives: difficult times such as rejection by others, financial difficulties, mental and physical illness.  By asking for His strength, He has kept us strong and close. 

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Seventh Sunday of Easter The Ascension (Acts 7: 55-60; Rev 22: 12-14 16-17, 20; Jn 17:20-26)   

Open to receive       

‘That the love with which you loved me may be in them and so that I may be in them’ – the prayer of Jesus before returning to the Father. God made us to be channels of His love – wife to husband, vice versa, parents to children. Our openness to His love enables it to flow out through us to others.