＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord with his energy and strength.

Put on the whole armor of God to be able to resist the cunning of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers that govern this world. We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil.

 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that in the evil day, you may resist and stand your ground, making use of all your wea­pons. Take truth as your belt, justice as your breastplate, and zeal as your shoes to propagate the Gospel of peace. 

Always hold in your hand the shield of faith to repel the flaming arrows of the devil. Final­ly, use the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the Word of God.  Pray at all times as the Spirit in­spires you.

Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, I may be given words to proclaim bravely the mystery of the Gospel. Even when in chains I am an ambassador of God; may he give me the strength to speak as I should.

 

Ps 144: 1b, 2, 9-10

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 13:31-35

 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and gave him this warning, “Leave this place and go on your way, for Herod wants to kill you.” Je­sus said to them, “Go and give that fox my answer: ‘I drive out demons and heal today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my course!’

 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and for a little longer, for it would not be fitting for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you slay the prophets and stone your apostles!

How often have I tried to bring together your children, as a bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused! From now on you will be left with your temple and you will no longer see me until the time when you will say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

There is only one plot in the story of man, namely, the battle between good and evil. The protagonists are God and the devil. The final outcome is also dear – the victory of God! in this epic story a long drawn battle is being waged between the forces of good and the forces of evil.

Thus, St. Paul explains to the Ephesians that they were at war with supernatural forces, the devils who influence men to do evil. In the Gospel, Jesus himself recognized that Herod who wanted to kill him, was under the influence of the devil. So also were all those who persecuted the prophets.

St. Paul advices the Ephesians and us today to fight against the evil forces with the “whole armor of God,” namely, with “truth as our belt, justice as our breastplate, and zeal as our shoes, to propagate peace.

” Moreover, with “faith as our shield” we are able to resist the temptations of the devil who wants us to give up when it seems that our cause is unpopular. We counter evil with the Word of God, that is, with Gospel values.

We draw strength by sustained prayers and we are not intimated by persecution. Such was the example of the Apostles and Martyrs.