I battled depression for more than two years. Those were tumultuous times. I was erratic, restless, angry, and often drowning in despair. I’d stay in bed, not wanting to move. But outside, I was high-functioning, getting things done until triggers hit.

When the darkness came, I’d weep out of nowhere, shout to release the pain, and break down completely. But every time, I’d gather whatever strength I had and go to an adoration chapel—or at least sit in my car outside a church. There, I’d pour everything out—anger, frustration, sadness—all the emotions I barely understood. And after an hour or so, I’d take deep breaths and slowly calm down.

God’s presence and prayer—these became both my shield and my weapon. Now, the bouts come less often. And even if they return, I’m not afraid. Because I know He’s with me in the battle.

Just a note, aside from praying and going to God, I also went to professionals to help me. I also maintained support from friends from The Feast community. 

Paolo Galia (pgalia@gmail.com)

reflect

“For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)

Lord, in my darkest moments, remind me that You are my refuge. Be my strength, my shield, and my peace.

St. Narcissus of Jerusalem, pray for us.

Today’s reading invites us to meditate on the armor of Christ. This is why I will only write a bit and leave you to reflect on this text and draw wisdom from it. Let us not underestimate the power of God’s grace to overcome our sins. The temptation to tolerate sin is always there. So, let us pray for the grace and vigilance to fight it.

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.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 144:1, 2, 9-10

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)

Gospel | Luke 13:31-35

Jesus knows that Jerusalem is not the best place for prophets. In Jerusalem, prophets face persecution and death. By now, Jesus already knows that this is the path for him. Maybe He knew that He is going to die as part of the Father’s plan of salvation for us. Yet Jesus did not shy away from His duty—He embraced the call and moved ahead.

Gospel Acclamation

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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read ISAIAH 29 - 32 today.

The Pharisees shooed Jesus away, telling Him of the anger of Herod, who was willing to have Him killed. It may be partly true, but the Pharisees were also jealous of Jesus. His growing popularity had diminished their influence on the Jews. People gathered around Jesus and listened to His teachings. Couple this with the spectacular miracles He performed before their very eyes. But Jesus was focused on His mission. Jerusalem was not only a place for Him—it represented God’s people, suffering from the prevalence of evil. Jesus confronted evil by waging war against the Romans and the religious leaders—but with love, compassion, kindness, prayer, forgiveness, support, and so on.

As Christians, we take our cue from Jesus. We are a nonviolent community of believers. We do not confront evil with evil. If we do, we become like the enemies we want to change. Jesus made a promise to His Father that no one will be lost. When He died on the cross, He died for all—sinners and saints. Jesus dealt with evil with good. He allowed Himself to be crucified. And when He spread His arms on the cross to die, forgiveness was His first word. That is why, for us Christians, the understanding of the image of Crucified Jesus goes beyond pain, hate, and death. He died that we may live and be saved.

Jesus wants a win-win situation. When we battle evil, our aim is not to defeat and erase evil. We face it to convert and invite it to join us. Instead of becoming like them, we make them become like us. In the spiritual realm, the Christian way is not to leave the battlefield with a loser and a winner. We leave it both as winners under the banner of Jesus, our Lord! 

Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

In the past, how did you face evil? What were your first reactions to evil? How did your encounter with them end?

Lord Jesus, give me a compassionate, understanding, and loving heart for those doing evil around me. Armed with those virtues, give me the courage to face them, confront them, and invite them to Your fold. They, too, are Your people. Allow me to participate in Your work of continuing redemption. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________