THE ARMOUR OF GOD

Meditation for Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

(Eph 6:1-9; Lk 13:22-30)

Before rounding up his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul gave some words of encouragement to the people of God saying, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” He reminds us that we are in a serious spiritual warfare, and should be prepared accordingly. “For we are not contending against flesh blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We cannot contend them with human strength or intelligence. That is why St. Paul insists we must put on the whole armour of God, which is the only way we can resist and conquer. This victorious armor of God consists in the following: 1. The belt of truth 2. The breastplate of righteousness 3. Feet shod of the gospel of peace 4. Shield of faith, which covers you against the darts of the evil one 5. The helmet of salvation 6. The sword of the Holy Spirit, which is the word of God 7. Perseverance in prayer.

 

At a time like this, we have more noisy Christians, who tend to reduce prayer and the Christian life to selfish gains and miracles, many may not be conscious of the real battle. The spiritual war is fault in the hearts of men and women; the real war is to control the mind and erode human conscience. That means the soul of man is the treasure that the enemy is battling for. That is why people like Herod, who threaten and persecute the flesh, instill fear so that people will not apply the spiritual armor necessary to protect the soul. But Jesus courageously replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.”

 

We see in Jesus the courage we need to stand firm with the whole armor of God. We do not fight alone, God defends us; in fact, if we take up the armor of God, we will realize that Jesus had won the battle for us. That is why the people of God, chosen as members of the Body of Christ, the Church, are victorious people. “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rm 8:37).

 

 Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday October 27, 2022.

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