Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 29th, 2020
Texts: Eph. 6:10-20; Ps. 144:1.2.9-10; Luke 13: 31-35
When we are unable to identify the kind of battle before us, we are going to fight in vain and we are set to be conquered. When we know the kind of battle before us, we will be able to discern the kind of weapons and resources to provide.
Today's first reading tells us that our battle is not of the flesh and blood but that of the spirit. This brings to mind Rev. 12:17: "Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, who obey God's commandments and have in themselves the witness of Jesus." Devil is the one who is at work in evil men. Praying for the death of our neighbours perceived to be enemies will not solve the problem; victory over the Devil is the solution to our problem. Till now we are still deceived that our battle is that of flesh and blood because we still pray for the death of our neighbours. This accounts for why many people still live in captivity of the Devil till today.
St. Paul, in today's first reading, identifies who our enemies are. He says, "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the host of wickedness in the heavenly places." Today's gospel reading reminds us that Jesus Christ also contended with them too. Herod, the ruler of his time, was against him. He also contended with demons and illness; he cast out the demons and curred diseases. He displayed his power over demons and illness. This reminds us that in Jesus Christ demons and illness are conquered.
The first reading goes further to tell the kind of weapons and resources to be used in our battle. St. Paul tells us to put on the armour of God: Truth as our belt, righteousness as our breastplate, gospel of peace as our footwear, faith as our shield, and salvation as our helmet.
Truth helps t holdfast our clothes; it sustains our integrity and dignity as the children of God. When we live by the truth, we affirm our brotherhood with Jesus Christ, who is the truth, and reject Satan, the father of lies. When we live by the truth, the truth will set us free.
Righteousness defends our hearts against evil thought. Devil begins to encroach into our lives by introducing evil thoughts into our hearts (James 1:14-15). Righteousness keeps our hearts pure. The wise says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23).
Faith is an acceptance of truth of faith and readiness to live by the truth. Faith defends us against doubts, it makes mind to be steadfast and to avoid being double minded. In the words of St. James: "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (1:6-8). Faith quench the flaming arrows of doubt released against us by the Evil one. With faith we are able to reject all false teachings and and philosophies.
What the helmet of salvation means is described in the Book of Revelation thus: "They have triumphed over him (the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word to which they bore witness, because even in the face of death they did not cling to life" (12:11). We must not forget that we have been saved, we must not forget to witness to the fact that we have been saved, we must show it in our lives that we have been saved.
The sword we use for the battle is the word of God. We must take the word of God seriously; we must read it, meditate on it day and night, we must study it that we might live it and teach it. If we are ignorant of God's words, the devil may use it against us as he tried it with Jesus Christ during the temptation in the desert (Luke 4:5-12). Jesus defeated Satan with the word of God. Many christians are fake, today, because devil has manipulated them; they are now bowing to him instead of God.
St. Paul does not forget to ask us to pray. Prayer becomes efficacious where truth is found, righteousness abound, peace reigns, faith is maintained, Christ's saving action is present, and the word of God is rule of life.
Lord our God, we thank you for always fighting our battle for us, give us the grace to play our own part that we may triumph over our enemies, the Devil and his angels. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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