Gospel Reflections for May 6 2018
The inside Story
Jesus reveals helpful “inside” advice in today’s Gospel for anyone in love.
This advice has also inspired me often to ask a bride or groom when they first felt they were in love.
Many times, they will say something like this. “…when my partner knew everything about me, all my good qualities and even my faults and failings …and yet still loved me!”
When you feel free to speak your innermost secrets to someone else …and they still accept you …well, that can be some of the most fulfilling moments of your life!
I also ask engaged couples if they feel that there is no topic off the table when they talk with each other, and that they can freely discuss anything with each other. That is also a great signal that their love is authentic, deep, and lasting.
Jesus signals that kind of intimate relationship in today’s Gospel. “I have told you everything….” People in love must be able to share everything in truth with each other. How can that be done well? Sometimes sharing things leads to arguments!
After all, just because you want to talk about something important right now doesn’t mean your partner is in the mood to talk at all, and so hurt feelings or maybe even an argument can follow. That is just bad timing!
When engaged couples successfully have these intimate conversations, they are usually in the context of a date, where they have arranged a special time, perhaps a quiet walk around the block, to share important and personal things. They have both agreed on a time to share deep things and so are mutually in the mood for talking and especially hearing each other. That is what makes their conversation so successful. That is why “dating” works so well!
Since the dating idea of setting up a time works so well especially for intimate talk, wise couples return to that simple idea of arranging a “date” for sharing personal thoughts. Setting aside one time every week to share how your relationship is doing will ensure your love will last.
Jesus invites us to do the same with Him. Every Sunday is our “Date” with our Lord when we share our innermost thoughts and He shares Himself in the Eucharist with us. Never let more than seven days pass without checking in with Our Lord, and your loved ones.
You now have the inside story for happiness!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr. Dave,
Very good insight of how to show Jesus and our loved one how much we love them.
I also agree about not missing Eucharist even when on vacation.
Thank you and
God Bless
Hi Father Dave!
I love how you connect Jesus and the body of Christ (us gentiles). It is so clear, so perfect, such LOVE. You are an amazing Father.
Kindly,
Jeannine Short
I am glad you like my writings!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee having a date with our Jesus every day and sharing His precious Eucharist with us!!!Incredible Faith of giving love!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your precious words Father Dave!!!!Thank you for giving us the most precious gift of our Jesus!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
You are welcome!
Great reflection on how to develop and continue our relationships!
I also like how you relate our “communion” with Jesus in the Eucharist!
I agree that honest communication is the best way to find inner peace and happiness.
When we make that connection with our spouse, or the Lord, we are in a place
where good things can happen.
More now than ever, we need that inner peace to help us through these unsettling times.
Well said!
What a great reflection, Fr. Dave. I can’t believe it has almost been 8 years since you married Rick and I at St. Paschal’s. We attribute our success to the fact that we still date each other, as you advised us. We set aside time to go on long walks at the beach and engage in philosophical and emotional exchange. I am often asked if we ever fight as we seem like a “perfect” couple. We do fight, but not often. Most of the time we are able to set aside time for discussion to hash through issues on a proactive versus reactive basis.
Thank you so much for sharing your marriage journey here. You made my day!