Oct 29 2020 Reflection
Thursday 29 October 2020
First Reading: EPH 6:10-20
Responsorial Psalm:
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
PS 144:1B, 2, 9-10
Gospel Reading: LK 13:31-35
Today’s Note: Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“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!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Reflection:
Put on the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11)
Are you ready to put on the armor of God to defend yourself from . . . yourself?
When we read this popular passage, we conjure up images of righteously defending ourselves, swords drawn, from the tactics of the devil, as if these attacks would come to us from the outside. There is an element of truth to this, but we should know that spiritual attacks may come from within us as well. The devil is very clever at using our own weaknesses—some that we don’t even recognize—to his advantage. He is very good at disrupting our peace and confidence in Christ and replacing them with anger, impatience, or selfishness.
How do we look for those weak spots in our spiritual armor and move to strengthen them? The most important thing we can do is monitor our thoughts. Look back over the past few days and see if you can identify the situations in which you were easily angered or quickly grew impatient. Perhaps you were set off when someone interrupted your favorite pastime or moved too slowly when you were in a hurry.
Sometimes the devil can even use the things we love the most to his advantage—especially if they pull us away from the Lord.
How can we defend against these subtle attacks? Each morning before you get out of bed, say a quick prayer that helps you put on the armor of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the faith and confidence you need to stand firm against the devil’s tactics. Maybe even read this passage!
During the day, try to pay attention to your thoughts. Take note of those ideas or memories that threaten your peace, block your ability to love someone, or undermine your humility. Recognize them for what they are, and ask the Spirit to help you counter them with the truths about God’s love and his grace. Recall God’s past work in your life, and let those memories fill you with confidence and strength.
Every day, the Holy Spirit stands ready to outfit you with his armor. So take it up, put it on—and put the devil to flight!
“Holy Spirit, help me guard my thoughts so that I may grow to be more like Jesus.”
