The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to assess the preparation we need to be servant leaders in sharing the mission of Jesus.
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians describes the Whole Armour of God and exhorts us to Constant Prayer.
* [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).
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?10 (Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, 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. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents Herod’s Desire to Kill Jesus and His 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Jeanne Schuler (2002) asks Where do they struggle for justice? Where do they proclaim peace? Where do they resist the cry for war?
Am I with them? God, give me the courage to hold my faith high.
The death threats continued. Jesus was a marked man who would not be silenced. Still he healed the sick, drove out evil spirits, and prophesized against the leaders of Jerusalem: you who will kill me in due time do not see the destruction bearing down upon you. Even your mighty temple will fall.
Searching for expression of his love for us, Jesus found the mother bird. Don’t you see how deeply I long for you? Seek shelter under my wings. Come home.
The evils of our day will not separate us from the love of God. (Schuler, 2024)
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)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that even as we keep watch, we can be filled with peace. We can draw “strength from the Lord and from his mighty power” as we take up “the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13).
How can we be so confident? Because Jesus has already conquered sin, death, and darkness. Because we received a share of his victory when we were baptized into his death and resurrection. So we triumph over the evil one by surrendering to God’s strength, not by fighting with our own. In our struggles, we can face the forces of darkness with open hands rather than clenched fists, trusting that the Lord will fight for us.
So be alert! When you face temptation or notice the lies of the evil one, don’t confront them on your own. Instead, take a breath and call on the name of Jesus. Say it out loud! Welcome his presence, arm yourself with the victory he has won for you, and trust in his strength. This is the path to peace and victory. This is the way you can overcome every “struggle” (Ephesians 6:12).
“Lord Jesus, victor over darkness, come to my aid today!” (Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Ephesians describes the spiritual warfare against temptations and describes the amour we need to live in virtue. The author writes as Paul in prison who is an ambassador in chains. Herod is trying to kill Jesus and He declares He will die in Jerusalem like earlier prophets.
Brian McLaren highlights solidarity as a universal value supporting our common life. He describes the new friendships that are possible when we embrace the inclusive message of Jesus.
You will look around and feel that all are welcome here. They have come from different places, but by the same path, the path of love. Muslims have come in their caravan of love. Jews have pursued the Torah of solidarity. Buddhists have followed the noble truth of compassion. Sikhs have learned to see no stranger, and Hindus have descended into essential oneness. Atheists and agnostics have discovered in humanism a path into our common humanity….
When you find that this option of solidarity is open to you, this option of going to the deepest and most genuine core of your Christian tradition and there finding a love that connects you to everyone and everything, everywhere … you don’t need to go anywhere else. Of course, you can if you want to. But here is a way of staying Christian that connects you to others in a quest for solidarity rather than separating you from them in a quest for innocence, dominance, or supremacy. This feels to me like the way of Christ. This feels like the way of life. (McLaren, n.d.)
We invoke the Spirit to prepare us to resist the distractions and temptations that accompany our mission to act in accord with our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?10
Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13
McLaren, B. (n.d.). Seeking Love Through Solidarity. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/seeking-love-through-solidarity/
Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/31/1116183/
Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1
Schuler, J. (2024, October 31). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/103124.html
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 31, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct31
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