The Holy First-Martyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla.
Ephesians 5:33-6:9; Luke 4:16-22.
Read Ephesians 5:33-6:9
Please read the following scripture texts:
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:17-23)
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’ and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ (Matthew 10:34-36)
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)
The love that St Paul directs us in today’s reading to the Ephesians can’t be understood without the deep awareness of selflessness and self-sacrifice especially to the point where it is completely integrated and normalized in our daily life. Without this, one cannot ‘love his wife as himself.’ Children won’t be able to ‘obey their parents in the Lord’ and fathers will greatly struggle to have the peace necessary to correctly discipline and correct their children properly. The relationship that St Paul speaks of between the slave and master is not any different than one has within the marital bond and father-child relationship. Jesus’ call to ‘love our enemies’ is nothing more than taking that sacrificial love needed in a holy and healthy home out into the community.
This love and these authentic relationships are only possible through a profound love for and relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Amen.