Saturday after Theophany; the Holy Martyr Polyeuctus (249-51)
Ephesians 6:10-17; Matthew 4:1-11
Read Ephesians 6:10-17
Christ is baptised!
As we begin this new year of 2021 we should be filled with hope: God is with us! It is good to hope for things of the world: increased vaccination against COVID-19 and a gradual end to the pandemic of course immediately come to mind. But ultimately our hope is for these things, not in these things. Our hope is in Christ who has come among us and has been baptized in the Jordan, sanctifying the waters: the waters of baptism in which we are truly healed. But at times our hope can be sorely tested, and today’s epistle is for those times; it is for these times.
The Holy Apostle Paul tells us how to arm ourselves against the fear and anxiety or frustration that we might be experiencing: with the shield of faith, the gospel of peace, the breastplate of righteousness, and the belt of truth. These are the great defences against the evil one and all that he would hurl against us: fear, anxiety, frustration, or any other passion that might be confronting us. And what is AMAZING is that these defences work! Why? Because they are Christ’s and He has conquered fear, anxiety, frustration, sin, corruption, and death. So, brothers and sisters, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” He will never abandon us. He is with us in these days. He is with us now and forever.