THE ESSENTIALITIES OF HAPPY MARRIAGE (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THR 30TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

Homily for Tuesday of the 30th Week in the Ordinary Time

Ephesians 5:21-33; Luke 13:18-21

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, St. Paul advises us in the First Reading, "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph.5:22). Often times, most husbands will quote this passage for their wives. In similar manner, St. Paul instructs husbands too, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 5:26). However, if husbands truly want their wives to be subject to them, as to the Lord, they must first love their wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.

Concerning respect and love between husband and wife, we learn about genuine love which is sincere, tolerant and accommodates all. If our love is genuine, we will respect the true worth of every person and sacrificially care for them. If our love is not able to grow daily and become very large as to accept, harbor and tolerate every kind of person, just like the grain of mustard seed grew and became a tree according to Jesus in today's Gospel then our love is not genuine.

The value of little things done out of love can never be underestimated. Jesus in comparing the kingdom of God to a grain of mustard seed which grows to become a tree providing lodging and protection for the birds makes us to see that greatness is not achieved overnight, there is always a humble beginning

Our good deeds have ripple effects. Like the mustard seed, they can grow into bigger shrubs and be a shelter for many creatures; the same is the case with the yeast; it can work in hidden ways, changing the nature of the whole batch of dough. Nothing is too small; start doing good today and you will see the ripple effect in future

May our good deeds yield ripple effect of goodness through Christ our Lord. Amen.