Reflection for the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Part 2

Thursday – Spiritual Armor

The spiritual life is a battle. We're attacked on all sides by the enemy, by the world, and by our own disordered passions. We are constantly fighting against temptation so that we don't sin and fall away from God.

But we are not left without armor and weapons. God provides us all we need to fight and win our spiritual battles. First, we possess the truth. That is one of our greatest weapons. We know the truth about God and His plan for us. We know the truth about our enemies and their tactics. And we know the truth about ourselves and our weaknesses. We know that we can never win without God, so we rely on Him completely.

Second, we possess the breastplate of righteousness. When we are in a right relationship with God, we can withstand anything because we are in a position to take full advantage of His grace.

Third, we possess the firm foundation of the Gospel. We stand on the solid ground of God's Word.

Fourth, we possess the shield of faith. Our faith protects us from the arrows of the enemy, arrows of doubt, arrows of confusion, arrows of fear. Our faith guards us from the trickery and deceit that the enemy shoots at us from all directions. When we are firm in our faith, when we truly believe in God, not just that He exists but that He truly is Who He says He is and does what He says He does, then we are covered by a protection that can withstand any attack.

Fifth, we possess the helmet of salvation. Our heads are covered by God's saving grace. When this helmet is in place, the enemy can't mess with our minds. We recognize who we are in God, and we have confidence that He will get us home to Heaven if only we remain close to Him.

Sixth, we possess the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We fight with God's Word. We use Scripture and Tradition, under the guidance of the Church's Magisterium, to proclaim God's message of salvation to the world and to refute those who attack us.

With these weapons and this armor, we can fight our spiritual battles with confidence, assured that God is always by our side, pouring out His grace and healing our wounds, that we may be victorious.

Friday – The Household of God

You are a member of the household of God. When you are in a state of grace and in communion with the Church, you are a full-fledged member of God's family. At your baptism, you entered into a covenant with God, and covenants are family bonds. They create kinship.

You renew that covenant every time you receive a sacrament. When you partake of Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist, you renew your covenant oath. When you go to confession, you renew your covenant oath. When you are ill and accept anointing, you renew your covenant oath. You proclaim to the world that you are a member of the household of God, part of His family, and one of His beloved children.

Now reflect for a while on the following question: Do you act like a member of the household of God?

Saturday – Thirsting for God

“My soul is thirsting for the living God.”
I long for the living water of Your grace, my God.
I reach for the outpouring of faith, hope, and love that only You can give.
I need to hear Your words in Scripture and to meet You in the sacraments.
I strive to keep Your moral law with love and to grow in all virtues.
I desire to stand in Your presence all the days of my life and then perfectly in Heaven.
“My soul is thirsting for the living God.”
Amen.