Readings: Ephesians 5:21-33, Ps. 128:1-5, Luke 13:18-21
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. As the church is subject to Christ, wives are also subject to everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:22-25)
In St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today, we see two vital ingredients in marriage: love and respect. Love and respect are not separate; love is incomplete without respect, and respect is nothing without love.
The words we use with our spouses shape their lives. Are you the wife or the husband who never stops insulting your spouse? Repent! In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, which starts very small but soon grows to become a thousand times bigger than the seed.
Quarrels and fights in marriage are like mustard seeds. When these fights are not forgiven, they become like pieces of debris we fail to remove.
Little quarrels pile up in our memories, and before we know it, they affect the quality of our love for our spouse. The person we once trusted with all our hearts becomes someone else in our eyes. Once that trust is gone, little mistakes magnify; we become blind to the good in our spouse, and what was once love becomes hate.
Love is a fire; if it is not properly fed with fuel, it quenches. Instead of trying to win that fight or argument, focus on feeding the fire of your love. One lesson the story of “Beauty and the Beast” teaches us is that love brings out the best in people. Every “Beast” needs “Beauty”. Love your spouse not because they deserve it, but because you are beautiful.
It always backfires whenever you consciously do something to hurt your spouse. On your wedding day, you were no longer two people, but one. Treat your spouse with all the love and respect you can muster, just as you would treat your wounded leg or hand.
You don’t cut off a hand or leg because it is injured; you treat it. Surely it might not heal immediately (humans are naturally difficult), but you must be patient. As Jesus explains in today’s Gospel passage, little drops of love grow into a big tree (a changed person) each day.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase our faith, hope, and charity, and help us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 30 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Ephesians 5:21-33, Ps. 128:1-5, Luke 13:18-21)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu