Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11

       My brother and his family live in Puerto Princesa, Palawan in an all-natural environment. Because their space is completely wide open, almost all of the rooms have an open invitation to bugs. So they use a kulambo (mosquito net) at night.

         The first time I slept there, all sorts of small insects were trapped outside the net by morning. I was amazed at the kulambo. Without it, I would have had to sleep in jeans, knee-high socks, gloves, a beanie and a long-sleeved turtleneck to protect me from the insects.

       I believe the same concept applies to how God’s protection works in our lives. We don’t always see God’s hands upon us, but through the gift of faith, we believe that His love protects us. He puts an invisible shield all around us, working 24/7 to fight off any evil that may attempt to attack us. While the guarantee of God’s protection doesn’t ensure that we will be exempted from battle, it is an assurance that He is fighting with us and for us. Audee Villaraza (avillaraza@gmail.com)

Reflection: Today, stop living in reckless abandon and start living with the boldness that you have a living God who has an invisible net over you, shielding you every moment of your life.

Loving Father, clothe me with Your armor that I may walk in full confidence while I do your mission in this world. Thank You for loving me and protecting me.

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, pray for us.

The armor of Christ is well worth a few meditations. It is important that we do not underestimate the power of the grace of God to overcome our sins. I know the temptation to tolerate sin and allow it to remain — and the damage it can do.

10 Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 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 19 and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.

R: Blessed be the Lord, my rock!

1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. (R) 2 My mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues peoples under me. (R) 9 O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise, 10 you who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant, from the evil sword. (R)

Jesus knows that Jerusalem is not a happy place for prophets. It is in Jerusalem that they often face persecution and death. I believe that Jesus knew by now that this was to be the path for Him. He knew that He was going to be put to death as part of His Father’s plan of salvation. Jesus did not shy away from His duty. Jesus embraced the call and moved ahead.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

31 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. 33 Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! 35 Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

think:  It is important that we do not underestimate the power of the grace of God to overcome our sins.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 29-32

THE COURAGE TO SPEAK

What Paul says in his parting words to the Ephesians is what he proves himself to be — courageous in the face of seemingly  insurmountable opposition. Emotions are free-flowing in every line. Passion and dedication mark almost every word, and both strength and preparedness shine through images and figures of speech that smack of warfare.

       St. Paul was a man on fire and was fanning the flames of that same courage in the hearts of his hearers. His choice of words, the rapid-fire staccato of imperatives, show a man ready and girded for spiritual warfare and goading his followers to tread on the same path of righteousness.

       Not a sign of wimpiness here, my friends. No scintilla of doubt that he was one who would easily retreat into a wishy-washy attitude characterized by harmless political correctness. He speaks of armor and the need to “stand firm against the tactics of the devil.” Paul was not one who would dance palsy walsy with evil in any form.

       I confess there was a time in my life I chickened out. I led a group from civil society to fight against a very real growing menace in the community where I was, a threat so diabolical in that it was poised to strike at the heart of society by corrupting the young. A letter with a veiled threat did me in. I succumbed to mortal debilitating fear — for my safety, for my life.

       In our times, the menace is more subtle, but no less insidious – the tyranny of moral relativism that is twin sister to widespread secularism. God is veritably eclipsed by a false belief that faith is on a different plane from life, that reason ought to have the upper hand on faith, and that faith ought not be worn on one’s sleeve.

       In the midst of such an onslaught, our knees crumble, our legs wobble, and our hearts tremble. We need strength. We need to stand fast. We need to put on the “armor of God” and “hold faith as a shield.” We need “to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel,” and have the courage to speak, as one must. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Is there a situation in your life right now that’s calling you to stand up and defend your faith and values? What’s keeping you from doing so?

Grant me courage, Lord, to do what I must to protect and defend my faith, Your truth, and Your Church.