The Priest-Martyr Gregory, Bishop of Great Armenia (284-305)
Ephesians 5:25-33; Luke 4:1-15
Read Ephesians 5:25-33
Today’s reading is used in the service of the Holy Mystery of Crowning—the wedding service. In the verses prior to today’s reading St. Paul calls on women to submit to their husbands and this teaching is often misunderstood. We’re quick to presume that St. Paul thinks that women are somehow inferior and that their submission is a form of degradation. Yes, in the world authority is often misused and exercised with tyrannical force. While in the Kingdom authority is expressed in service: Jesus says, ‘but not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest and the leader as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26).
The word ‘submit’ comes from submission, which means to fall under the mission of another. In other words, St. Paul is saying: ‘Women fall under the mission of your husband.’ What is the mission of the husband? ‘Love your wives as Christ loved the church; give your life up for your her, treat and respect her like you would your own body,’ Husbands are called to serve like Christ with purity, gentleness, kindness and self-sacrificial love. In doing so the husband sanctifies his wife and their marriage then becomes an icon of the love Christ has for his body the Church.