Daily Readings - Tue Oct 29 2024
Ephesians
21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Luke
18Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of love and faith in our lives. The first reading from Ephesians presents a vision of marital relationships rooted in mutual submission and love, where husbands and wives are called to mirror the self-giving love of Christ for His Church. This passage, while often misunderstood, emphasizes the unity and sacrificial love that should characterize Christian relationships. The Gospel from Luke offers two parables—the mustard seed and the leaven—that illustrate the Kingdom of God as something small yet powerful, capable of transforming the world. These images remind us that even the smallest acts of faith and love can have a profound impact.
The readings are connected by the theme of growth and transformation. In Ephesians, the relationship between spouses is not just a human institution but a sacred reflection of Christ’s love for the Church. This relationship is meant to grow and flourish, much like the mustard seed that becomes a great tree. Similarly, the leaven in the Gospel works quietly yet effectively to transform the entire batch of dough, just as our everyday actions, inspired by faith, can shape the world around us. Both readings encourage us to see our daily lives as opportunities for spiritual growth and to trust in the power of God to bring about change.
As we apply these readings to our lives, let us remember that our relationships and actions, no matter how small they may seem, are part of a larger story of God’s Kingdom. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to embody the love and humility of Christ. Like the mustard seed and the leaven, our faith can grow and spread, transforming not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. May we embrace this call to be instruments of God’s love and trust in His promise to bring forth abundant life from even the smallest beginnings.