The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with a sense that we need to raise our spiritual awareness of the evil in our environment that threatens the peace and compassion to which we are called by the Spirit.
On the road against evil
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians identifies the components of the armour of God against evil.
* [6:10–20] A general exhortation to courage and prayer. Drawing upon the imagery and ideas of Is 11:5; 59:16–17; and Wis 5:17–23, Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian’s readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10). Unique importance is placed upon prayer (Eph 6:18–20).1
Psalm 144 is a prayer for national deliverance and security.
* [144:8b, 11b] Their right hands are raised in lying oaths: the psalmist’s enemies give false testimony.2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus laments over the fate of Jerusalem.
* [13:33] It is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is the city of destiny and the goal of the journey of the prophet Jesus. Only when he reaches the holy city will his work be accomplished.3
Tom Lenz is concerned that we are too preoccupied by anxiety and fear to recognize the good that God sends our way. It reminds him of what St. Augustine of Hippo said, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”
But, as Jesus says, if we abandon those things (fear, anxiety, busy-ness) and allow ourselves to be emptied we will then be able to see him – “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” It’s another great paradox – it isn’t until we let go, that we will gain. At the beginning of the reading Jesus lets us know that he will do the heavy lifting (represented in his referral to the Triduum) so that we can let go of all that concerns us and recognize that the manifestation of God is all around us – the gifts! So, my hope is to let go of all the politics and worry that I carry in my hands – so that I can be in a position to receive.4
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus foreshadows his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'And I tell you,' he says, 'you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.' What does this mean? The Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and left as unworthy of his presence those who said, 'Get away from here.' And after he had walked about Judea and saved many and performed miracles which no words can adequately describe, he returned again to Jerusalem. It was then that he sat upon a colt of a donkey, while vast multitudes and young children, holding up branches of palm trees, went before him, praising him and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord' (Matthew 21:9). Having left them, therefore, as being unworthy, he says that when the time of his passion has arrived, he will then barely be seen by them. Then again he went up to Jerusalem and entered amidst praises, and at that very time endured his saving passion in our behalf, that by suffering he might save and renew to incorruption the inhabitants of the earth. God the Father has saved us by Christ."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that 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.
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.6
Friar Jude Winkler connects our battle against evil to our concupiscence, as described by St. Augustine. We need the Spirit of Love to balance peace and compassion in our lives. Friar Jude reminds us that Luke’s Gospel is the story of Jesus' trip to Jerusalem.
Cynthia Bourgeault shares her understanding of Thomas Keating’s final legacy to us.
In October 2018, two weeks before he died, Thomas Keating emerged briefly from four days in what appeared to be a comma to deliver an extraordinary final message beamed straight to the heart of the world. [1] Acknowledging that “an extraordinary moment of civilization seems to be overtaking us,” he urged the human family to scrap old approaches based on religious or political dogma and “begin a new world with one that actually exists,” a world whose truth is guided by “silence and science” and whose heart is revealed in a universal resurgence of human compassion and creativity. “We need to find ways to make these really happen,” he said. “I leave this hope in your hands and hearts coming as a real inspiration from the heart of God.”7
Lies and polarization in our environment are signs of evil that we need to refute with the strength of Love we learn from the Spirit.
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