Daily Readings - Thu Oct 27 2022
Ephesians
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Luke
31At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."32He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'33In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!34"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!35Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of spiritual struggle and the call to perseverance in living out our faith. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul urges the early Christians to be strengthened in the Lord and to put on the armor of God. This armor—truth, justice, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—is not for physical battle but for the spiritual warfare we face daily. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness, and only by being clothed in God’s armor can we withstand these forces and remain faithful.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ warning that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus’ reply is both defiant and sorrowful. He declares that he will continue his mission of casting out demons and healing, undeterred by threats, for he knows his time is limited. His lament over Jerusalem reveals his deep love for the city and its people, even as they reject him. Jesus’ words remind us that following him requires courage and perseverance, even in the face of opposition. Like the armor of God in Ephesians, Jesus’ determination to fulfill his mission shows us how to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God’s plan even when the path is difficult.
These readings call us to embrace our own spiritual battles with courage and trust in God. Like the early Christians, we must put on the armor of God daily—praying, living justly, and clinging to the Word of God. Like Jesus, we must remain faithful to our mission, even when faced with challenges or rejection. Let us ask for the grace to stand firm in our faith, to trust in God’s providence, and to love others with the same selfless love that Jesus showed, even to those who do not accept him. May we, like Jesus, be willing to endure the cross for the sake of the Gospel, knowing that it leads to resurrection and eternal life.