Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 31 October 2028

21 Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

22 Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord:

23 Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it:

26 That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life:

27 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.

28 So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself.

29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the church:

30 Because we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 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.

32 This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular love his wife as himself: and let the wife fear her husband.

R. (1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

3 Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

25 Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it?

19 It is like to 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.

20 And again he said: Whereunto shall I esteem the kingdom of God to be like?

21 It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

The kingdom of God often begins in places that seem small: a seed placed in a garden, leaven hidden in dough, faithful love practiced within a home. Scripture presents marriage as a living sign of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Its foundation is reverence for Christ, expressed through mutual belonging and self-giving love. The husband is called to love as Christ loved—sacrificially, tenderly, and with a concern for the holiness and flourishing of the other. The wife’s response is placed within this same sacred order of devotion to the Lord.

The psalm speaks of blessing for those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Such reverence turns ordinary work, family life, and daily fidelity into places where God’s kingdom takes root. We may look for dramatic signs of God’s presence, while he is quietly transforming a household through patience, forgiveness, nourishing care, and humble obedience. Like leaven, this grace works beneath the surface until it touches everything. Christ asks us to trust these small acts of faithful love, because in them his kingdom is already growing.

Lord Jesus, teach us to receive your kingdom with the humility of little ones. Plant your life deeply within our homes and relationships, and make our ordinary acts of love faithful signs of your presence. Give spouses grace to honor one another, to serve without keeping score, and to care for each other with the tenderness you show your Church. Help us walk in reverence before you, trusting that quiet fidelity can bear lasting fruit. Where love has grown weak, bring healing; where patience is needed, give strength; and where forgiveness is difficult, make our hearts gentle. Amen.