The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to seek strength in our struggle with powerful forces of evil in our communion with Christ in prayer.
The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians identifies the Battle against Evil and our need for 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). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 144 proclaims a promise of future thanksgiving for prosperity and peace.
* [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.
* [144:1–2] Composed of phrases from Ps 18:3, 35, 47–48.
* [144:8b, 11b] Their right hands are raised in lying oaths: the psalmist’s enemies give false testimony. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke declares Herod’s Desire to Kill Jesus and Jesus 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.)
Steve Scholer comments Fear is a great motivator, and in response to these fears about our personal safety or the security of our possessions, we act. From the limits we place on our online activity, to where we travel, or even when and where we travel within our hometowns.
While imprisoned in Rome, the Apostle Paul changed the focus of the epistle he was writing from our earthly fears about our personal safety or the loss of our possessions, to something much more important – our souls. The very essence of who we are…
As we reflect on Paul’s words, we need to remind ourselves that asking for AI to solve our problems is not the solution. It simply starves our souls of the prayer and reflection needed. We need to remind ourselves that the pride we have in our own moral compass needs to be bolstered by asking for God’s help. We need to remind ourselves that any bitterness and envy we harbor only darken our souls and thus, our relationship with God. We need to remind ourselves that compromise is a slippery slope, one destined to lead us away from following Christ. So, today during our Examen of Conscience, let’s pray for those who live in fear for their lives and for those who have fallen victim to evil scams. More importantly, let’s ask God to be our armor against the flaming arrows of The Evil One, to shield us from the constant assault that is upon us to step away from living faith-filled lives and loving our neighbors. Let’s take time to nurture our souls like our life depended on it …because our eternal life does. (Scholer, n.d.)
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.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. Ephesians will have to engage in the combat of good against evil. The author of Ephesians declares the Gentiles will have to be called away from the ways of Satan to a structure built on the foundation of Christ. They are fighting a spiritual battle. The battle is not easy as it is waged within our own heart. We protect our backs with prayer and supplication to the Holy Spirit. Herod wants to kill Jesus after the execution of John the Baptist. Jesus performs a taunt song over Jerusalem. Jesus declares an event that is going to happen. Jerusalem is going to suffer the destruction of the Temple. Friar Jude notes Luke writes his Gospel after 70 CE when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that the temptations and struggles we face involve more than just “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). We are in conflict with a real being, Satan, who is opposed to God and his plan. Today let’s reflect on these images to see how we can defend ourselves against “this present darkness” (6:12).
The devil is always “prowling around”, but you don’t have to fear him (1 Peter 5:8). God has equipped you with everything you need to repel his tactics. In Christ you can be victorious!
“Lord, strengthen my faith and protect me from every evil!” (Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20, n.d.)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how Public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) considers how Jesus understood love as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s law.
The truth is, you can bend Scripture to say just about anything you want it to say…. We all go to the text looking for something, and we all have a tendency to find it. So the question we have to ask ourselves is this: are we reading with the prejudice of love, with Christ as our model, or are we reading with the prejudices of judgment and power, self-interest and greed? Are we seeking to enslave or liberate, burden or set free?…
This is why there are times when the most instructive question to bring to the text is not, What does this say? but, What am I looking for? I suspect Jesus knew this when he said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
If you want to do violence in this world, you will always find the weapons. If you want to heal, you will always find the balm. With Scripture, we’ve been entrusted with some of the most powerful stories ever told. How we harness that power, whether for good or evil, oppression or liberation, changes everything. (Rohr, n.d.)
We pray for the inspiration of the Spirit as we act upon our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader serving the needs of all the people with whom we interact.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?
Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?
Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/29/1703785/
Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Is the Law. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-the-law/
Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-29-2026
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 29, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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