Daily Retreat 10/30/08
2008 Oct 30 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
Eph 6: 10-20/ Ps 143(144): 1b. 2. 9-10/ Lk 13: 31-35
From today’s readings: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.... Blessed be the Lord, my Rock.... Jerusalem, Jerusalem,you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! ”
The Real Fight
As Christians, we certainly pray for, and are personally committed to promoting God’s peace in the world. Nevertheless, as Sacred Scripture reminds us, we need to be actively engaged in battle - not to kill or hurt any people, but rather, to challenge and defeat all strongholds of evil in our lives and in the world, drawing our strength from the Lord and from His mighty power.
Fighting evil is a formidable task - even moreso than we can imagine! Yet God has graciously equipped us with the spiritual armor necessary for victory. The closing page of the letter to the Ephesians specifically teaches us to gird ourselves with truth (which is fundamental and essential), clothe ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness (which is vital and must be taken to heart), shod our feet in readiness for the Gospel of peace (since we need to be messengers rushing to share the Gospel), hold faith as a shield (crucial for defense against the supernatural weapons of the Devil), don the helmet of salvation (viz., recognize salvation as the head issue of our lives), and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
By separately mentioning each of these elements of our armor, Scripture also reminds us that the whole suit is what is truly needed for battle readiness. Perhaps today, you and I can review the condition of each of those items in our own lives, and then resolve to seek the Lord’s specific aid again wherever there’s a dent or nick or even tarnish to be found in that armor!
Eph 6: 10-20/ Ps 143(144): 1b. 2. 9-10/ Lk 13: 31-35
From today’s readings: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.... Blessed be the Lord, my Rock.... Jerusalem, Jerusalem,you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! ”
The Real Fight
As Christians, we certainly pray for, and are personally committed to promoting God’s peace in the world. Nevertheless, as Sacred Scripture reminds us, we need to be actively engaged in battle - not to kill or hurt any people, but rather, to challenge and defeat all strongholds of evil in our lives and in the world, drawing our strength from the Lord and from His mighty power.
Fighting evil is a formidable task - even moreso than we can imagine! Yet God has graciously equipped us with the spiritual armor necessary for victory. The closing page of the letter to the Ephesians specifically teaches us to gird ourselves with truth (which is fundamental and essential), clothe ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness (which is vital and must be taken to heart), shod our feet in readiness for the Gospel of peace (since we need to be messengers rushing to share the Gospel), hold faith as a shield (crucial for defense against the supernatural weapons of the Devil), don the helmet of salvation (viz., recognize salvation as the head issue of our lives), and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
By separately mentioning each of these elements of our armor, Scripture also reminds us that the whole suit is what is truly needed for battle readiness. Perhaps today, you and I can review the condition of each of those items in our own lives, and then resolve to seek the Lord’s specific aid again wherever there’s a dent or nick or even tarnish to be found in that armor!
posted by FrPitstick | 10/29/2008
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