WHO IS THE BOSS IN THE HOUSE?

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Ephesians 5:21-32

Paul introduces his instructions about marriage saying: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21), basically saying that marriage must be lived in a relationship of love, and not in a relationship of dependence or subservience.

To be head 

does not imply dominion, 

but service.

Surely, Paul says that “the husband is the head of the wife”, but he is so in comparison to and in the manner of Christ, who “is the head of the church, his body” (Eph 5:23). And Paul advises the husband to behave towards their wives as Christ behave towards the Church. So the husbands must love their wives as “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). In this comparison with Christ, to be head does not imply dominion, but service.  Being the head means that the husband must be in forefront, putting himself at the service of his wife, his children and his family.

According to an old tradition, still followed today in most households, the wife sleeps on the side of the wall, and the husband on the side of the door. This implies that the husband should the first to face danger, putting his life at risk in order to save his wife. This is the kind of headship that Paul talks about.

The position and role of the husband is one of total dedication, service and love, which must be reciprocated by a similar attitude from the wife. Paul speaks of obedience and respect on the side of the wife, which is balanced by total love and dedication on the side of the husband.

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE

XX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Eph 5:15-20

One of the things that I appreciate in Paul is that he is able to speak in plain, straightforward language. In a few words, he summarises what is fundamental for a Christian attitude and a Christian living.

In this Sunday second reading, Paul warns us: 

“Be careful how you live. 

Do not be unwise but wise, 

making the best use of your time 

because the times are evil. 

Therefore, do not be foolish, 

but understand what the Lord's will is.” 

(Eph 5:15-17 – in the translation International Standard Version)

Reckless living is very common nowadays. One is ready to try anything and everything, in a search for the greatest enjoyment. We make all kinds of experiments with our lives, in order to get power, influence and prestige. We suffer from a deep thirst of fame, glory and recognition, even if we have to do very unwise things to achieve it.

“Do not be foolish” – Paul tells us. We pay for our foolishness, here on earth, in this life of ours.

It is important to understand the Lord’s will, so that we act accordingly. Only that will bring peace and joy to our hearts.

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs

In the same passage, Paul warns about the abuse of alcohol:

“Stop getting a drunk with wine, 

which leads to wild living, 

but keep on being filled with the Spirit.” (Eph 5:18)

Many lives are destroyed by the abuse of alcohol and by the use of all kinds of drugs. The relief and joy that they bring last but a few moments, living behind a “wild living”, in which the human dignity of the alcoholic and the drug addicts is trampled upon, transforming their lives and the lives of their close relatives into hell.

Let us be guided by the Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom, which brings joy and peace.

OUR DAILY BREAD

XVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: John 6:24-35

For our sustenance, we need our daily food. However, in the world, while many people eat at least three times a day, a good number of others survive on a meal a day, and sometimes they may go to bed on an empty stomach. Some overeat and become obese, while others starve, and live always under the threat of shortage of food.

Today’s first reading (Exodus 16:2-4,12-15) narrates the experience of the people of Israel when they were faced with the reality of hunger, due to shortage of food. They forgot all the great things that God had done for them. In their worries, they accused God of evil intentions towards them: he planned to bring them out of Egypt in order to starve them to death. 

Listening to their complaints, God provided them with food, the food that could be found in the desert. In his provision, God was only giving enough for each day.  Our hearts are never satisfied and we always have a craving for more and more, accumulating far beyond our needs, while others have no way of satisfying their basic needs. God tried to teach the people of Israel to live with what is basic, leaving aside all greed. 

In the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father”, Jesus taught us to ask for “our daily bread”: the food for our bodies and the food for our souls. We need bread, but human beings do not live on bread alone (Mt 4:4). Salvation is much more than the satisfaction of our basic bodily needs. We need the “bread of life”, which only Jesus can give, because himself is the bread of life.

People asked Jesus: “Give us this bread always” (Jn 6:34) We ask as well: Lord, gives us this bread always!

There are so many Christians who do not approach the table of Lord and who are not fed by the bread that He gives – a bread for live, because Jesus himself becomes our food and gives us the willingness and the strength to walk with him towards the Father’s house.