Life, at least for one who is striving to follow the way of the Lord, can be quite difficult at times. Our readings today remind us that part of the problem is not just human. We are in a spiritual struggle, even an all-out spiritual war. St. Paul (Ephesians 6:10‑20) describes the equipment we have available to us as we take up the fight. The psalm (Psalm 144) also uses images of warfare to describe what God is doing for us. In the Gospel (Luke 13:31‑35), Jesus is aware of His role in the battle, a role that will demand the spilling of blood – His blood. But He knows that in the end it will be worth it.
St. Paul warns the believers in Ephesus about the challenges that are ahead of them. Although they know of physical contests and battles, the skirmishes that Christian believers will encounter will be more difficult. Not only will they be fighting against uncaring humans and people seeking to undermine their beliefs, they also will be battling the spiritual forces of evil. Paul reassures them of the ultimate victory that will take place, which has already taken place. Yet each believer will have to fight individual contests against evil. Paul equips the holy ones with the tools of spiritual warfare: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of readiness for the Gospel, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Word of God.
The psalmist also uses bellicose terms: fortress, deliverer, shield, victory, training for battle. These all describe the power and force that God uses to protect and save those called to be God’s own. God is willing to fight for us. God will win (has already won) the war, even while we still are in local and personal skirmishes.
In the Gospel, the lying Pharisees warn Jesus about “King Herod’s” plan to kill Him. Jesus does not mince words but tells the Pharisees to report back to “that fox” (Herod) that Jesus will continue to do what is necessary to accomplish God’s victory on the third day. “Fox,” as used in the language of Jesus’ day, is a derogatory term that implies that Herod was insignificant and not worthy of Jesus’ time.
As I read today’s scripture passages, I realize that national elections in the United States are just 5 days away, and that tomorrow is Halloween. Listening to all the mostly negative campaign ads and the lies, half-truths, and factual distortions that politicians are telling the American people, that we are in a very real battle against evil forces. Christians in ages past set aside All Hallows’ (All Saints’) Eve to dispel the evil and dark forces and to prepare for the victory of All Hallows (All Saints). It was not the victory won by all the saints, however. The victory was won by Jesus’ death and the resurrection on the third day. The feast of All Saints was to celebrate the victory party in which all the saints shared, because of the struggles they faced while on earth. Especially for those who have died within the last twelve months, it was a day of rejoicing as they celebrated their special day with the Jesus. The ending of the refrain of the song, To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King, keeps running through my head: “Christ Jesus, Victor! Christ Jesus, Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord, and Redeemer!”
We do face a very real sense of opposition this day and this coming week and beyond. Not just from kids dressed up as ghosts, witches, and goblins, but from the spiritual warriors that these figures may represent. St. Paul is very much aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place. He urges the Ephesians (and us) to put on our spiritual warfare attire. It is the armor of God.
That which goes around us, and holds up other battle gear, is the belt of truth. The truth is what holds us together. Without truth, everything falls flat on the ground, and we trip over our other garments and weapons. We are exposed to the lies and false reports of the enemies.
That which protects our heart is righteousness. If we wear our good thoughts and deeds, we will be protected from anything or anyone attacking our heart and other vital organs. To be able to move where we are called to serve, we need boots of readiness for the Gospel of peace. These foot protectors are better than the winged shoes of Mercury or the super athletic shoes so popular today. I am reminded of the passage in Isaiah 52: 7 that says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”
In these attacks from our spiritual enemies, we will receive blows. The weapon we use to defend ourselves from their strikes is the shield of faith we have been given by God. Knowing that God has gifted us and that we are united with God through our faith response, we can withstand the fiery arrows that are aimed our way. If we start to doubt, then the enemies’ weapons will find their way to hurt us.
Two final pieces of equipment that we have been given are the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. That which protects our thinking from the false ways of the enemy is our knowledge that Jesus has saved us. We know that Jesus has already won the victory. We need to stay focused on what He has done for us. Our only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. Our knowledge of the Word of God is what we use to attack the prince of lies. That does not just mean the ability to quote scripture (although proclaiming the Word can be useful), but rather our living out the truth of scripture. We need to be people of the Word who can use the Word in a way that reduces the enemy to nothing. I am reminded of Jesus and His temptations in the desert. Every time the devil tempted Him, the devil quoted scripture. Jesus came back with another scripture passage that had more authority than the one used by the devil.
It is only when we are willing to fight the battles against evil that we will be able to share the victory won by our head, Jesus Christ. We may become injured in these fracases, but if our eyes are on the victory won by Jesus, we will be able to share in the glory of the final victory banquet. God is fighting for us, so we need to be willing to fight for our God. It is then that we will be one with All Hallows – All Saints – as we gather around Christ Jesus our Victor, Christ Jesus our Ruler, Christ Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!