First Reading: Ephesians 5:21-33
Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Let wives be subject to their husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church. He is the savior of his body. Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things.
Husbands, love your wives as Christ also loved the Church and delivered himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the washing of water in the word of life, that 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.
So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also does the Church, because we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in Christ and in the Church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular love his wife as himself, and let the wife reverence her husband.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Alleluia: Matthew 11:25
Gospel: Luke 13:18-21
He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I liken it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in the branches thereof.
And again he said: To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Reflection
God's kingdom does not start big. It starts small - like a tiny mustard seed thrown in the garden, like a pinch of yeast hidden in flour. You don't see it at first, but later it becomes a tree, it lifts the whole dough.
St. Paul says the same about marriage. The husband loves like Christ - giving himself up, not demanding. The wife respects and trusts. It is mutual, it is reverence for Christ first. When that happens in a home, that home becomes like yeast - quiet, but transforming everything.
Maybe you think your small acts of patience, forgiveness, and love at home don't matter. They do. That is where the kingdom grows.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, plant your kingdom in my home. Teach me to love as you loved, to serve without counting the cost. Make our families fruitful vines, blessed because we walk in your ways. Amen.
