The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to explore and practice Jesus Way of preparing for conflict and working for peace.
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians describes the whole Armour of God.
* [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). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Psalm 144 is a prayer for National Deliverance and Security.
* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. (Psalms, PSALM 144, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke describes Herod’s desire to kill Jesus and the lament over Jerusalem.
* [13:32] Nothing, not even Herod’s desire to kill Jesus, stands in the way of Jesus’ role in fulfilling God’s will and in establishing the kingdom through his exorcisms and healings.
* [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. (Luke, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)
Tom Lenz (2020) comments that in Luke’s Gospel, the first few lines show the Pharisees afraid and trying to make Jesus afraid, too. This sounded strangely familiar to what today’s politicians and news reporters are doing as well. They seem to be anxious and afraid and he can feel it projecting onto him as he tries to keep up with the daily happenings.
It reminds me of what St. Augustine said, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hand are too full to receive them.” For me this makes great sense. I am many times too consumed by anxiety, fear, work, “to do lists,” and the general busy-ness of everyday life to recognize the good things. My hands are too full.
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 about all that I carry in my hands – so that I can be in a position to receive. (Lenz, 2022)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that St. Paul calls the word of God “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). The more we meditate on God’s word, the more his truths become embedded in our hearts and minds. Studying and praying with Scripture will also strengthen our faith, which Paul calls a “shield” that can “quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One” (6:16).
Today, choose a verse from today’s Gospel reading or another Scripture passage that speaks to you. Then ask the Lord to help you understand it in a deeper way. You might even want to memorize it so that you have it readily available whenever you are tempted to listen to Satan’s lies. As you make it part of your spiritual “armor,” your best offense will become a good defense!
“Jesus, help me to put on your armor so that I can stand firm.” (Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the spiritual battle against temptation wherein we need to allow Grace to heal and take custody of our eyes as we fast and pray. The battle is a marathon athletic event in which we need to do all things to make Christ the centre of our lives. Friar Jude notes the expression in Luke of Jesus being preordained to die in Jerusalem.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, summarizes Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of nonviolence.
Nonviolence is a way of strength and not a way for cowards.…
The goal of nonviolence is always winning the friendship and the understanding of the supposed opponent, not [their] humiliation or personal defeat….
The opponent must be seen not so much as an evil person, but as a symbol of a much greater systemic evil—of which they also are a victim!…
There is a moral power in voluntarily suffering for others.…
This love ethic must be at the center of our whole life, or it cannot be effective or real in the crucial moments of conflict….
Nonviolence relies on a kind of cosmic optimism which trusts that the universe/reality/God is finally and fully on the side of justice and truth…. (Rohr, 2022)
We call upon the Spirit to reinforce our faith as we trust in the practice of love, compassion, and mercy to triumph in conflict.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?10
Lenz, T. (2022, October 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102722.html
Luke, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?31
Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/27/521364/
Psalms, PSALM 144. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1
Rohr, R. (2022, October 27). Nonviolence: A Continual Practice — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/nonviolence-a-continual-practice-2022-10-27/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct27
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