LIVING AS CHRIST WOULD DO IN A CHRISTIAN HOME

⏰Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (25 Oct. 2022)

📖Eph 5:21-33; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (R.v.1a); Luke 13:18-21

🎤LIVING AS CHRIST WOULD DO IN A CHRISTIAN HOME

Beloved friend, in order to appreciate what St. Paul did in Eph 5:21-33 better, we need to understand the context under which he was writing. At that time, the institution of marriage was under great abuse and threat - men were divorcing their wives at will so that they can marry another, maybe better and younger, and the young girls were now refusing to go into marriage since they are treated as objects that can be used and dumped.

All those abuses can be linked to a wrong foundation upon which marriage is built in their head. Hence, in that chapter where he had begun a call to an imitation of God, St. Paul noted that marriage should also be lived in imitation of Christ, who proved his love for the Church by laying down his life (see 1 John 3:16) for the sanctification and redemption of the Church (Eph 5:25-27).

So, it is a call to mutual pure and sacrificial love devoid of any deceit. It is also an awakening call to us in our world today where marital love have been sacrificed on the altar of multiple selfish interests like having children and quest for material possessions. We need to get back to original intention for which marriage was Instituted in the first place - companionship (cf. Gen 2:18-24).

We must not pretend to think that marriage is a very simple life to embrace anyway. There are times when all efforts to make it work appear to be futile. However, the presence of God, who Instituted it can usher in the desired miracle (see John 2:1-11).

Moreover, through the twin-parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (cf. Luke 13:18-21), Jesus encourages us to embrace the spirit of patience and perseverance as nothing good comes easy.

The mustard seed is a very tiny seed that has the potentiality of being a very big shrub, but it needs the faith and patience of the planter to actualize that potentiality.

Are you facing a hard time in your family at this moment? Do you have faith that God can turn things around for you? Are you patient enough to wait for him?

Remember that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength always (cf. Isa 40:31) and they are like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken but stands forever (Ps 125:1).

As we place all our hope in God, may he save us from all situations that try to harm us, especially in our family lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Have a great day ahead. It is well with you. 

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