Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 31, 2024

Date: Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: EPHESIANS 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So, stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today is drawn from the Letter of the Ephesians. It reminds us that the LORD equips us for our journey in faith with grace, and that we will need it because evil exists in the world and seeks to stop our journey home to our LORD. The letter also reminds us of the power of prayer and the Word in our war against evil.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I open myself to the LORD and the LORD’s power through prayer and the WORD daily?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, from our beginning, humanity has struggled with righteousness, with staying in a right and loving relationship with You and in a loving relationship with one another. Our insistence upon our desires over your will led us astray. Evil wages a war with You and we must choose to rely upon You and your grace or perish. Your great love for us and desire that we have life with You led You to send your only begotten Son to dwell among us and from among us to teach us your Way, to teach us the Truth, to redeem us and to bring us to Life. Send your Spirit to arm us against evil in our world, to help us see your love for us and discern your will for us. Grant that we may make our way home to You and life in abundance with You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen,