Being a Christian: is it simple?

WORD 2day: Thursday, 30th week in Ordinary time

October 27, 2022: Ephesians 6:10-20; Luke 13: 31-35

Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens (Eph 6:12). Yes, our life is a struggle! We know that very well... enough to look around - the wars, the economic crises, the political altercations, the subversive forces, the misleading claims of rights that obscure duties and values, the misplaced priorities that make life so complicated and some times even meaningless!

Yes, we are struggling to live an authentic life. That is why we are the Militant Church... the church that is fighting its way through, towards the eternal life, towards that crown that is promised and prepared for us. The Triumphant Church, who are the saints who have gone before us, is our shining model and an inspiring example... we will soon be celebrating them altogether. However, today let us just heed to the message that the triumphant Church gives us, in the clear tone of the Word today. As we heard from Luke a few days ago (12:4) - Do not fear those who can kill your body, but can do nothing to your soul! And Jesus lives that teaching in the Gospel today: 'Go tell that fox'...referring to Herod...'that I will be here today, tomorrow and the third day!'

Jesus feared no one, because he was certain that God was with him. St. Paul today gives us a whole armour to put on; every kind of protection against every kind of danger. The Lord is our stronghold, the Lord is our refuge; whom should we fear? All that we need to do is stand firm in faith. Let us not deceive ourselves saying, being a Christian today is simple or natural; it is not! Neither shall we lose hope saying, we cannot! 

Jesus teaches us by his example today the technique of a Christian fight: Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong! (1 Cor 16:13)