Courage against evil

People are afraid.

They are afraid of economic and financial disasters, afraid of the results of elections, afraid of terrorism, afraid of the degradation of society, and afraid of many other things.

Some of these things, as Saint Paul relates in today’s first reading (Ephesians 6:10-20) are more powerful and subtle than we can imagine or hope to deal with.

But infinitely more powerful is the strength and the wisdom that comes from God and with which Saint Paul encourages us:

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.