Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost. Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God. Holy Great-Martyr Catherine (310-13). Holy Great-Martyr Mercurius (249-51).
Nativity Fast.
Ephesians 6:10-17. Luke 13:10-17.
Read Ephesians 6:10-17
At important points in human history, certain speeches have been instrumental in calling people to action, so much so that they resonate beyond their time. Sir Winston Churchill’s “We shall fight on the beaches…We shall never surrender” speech is a stirring example. St. Paul’s final address to the church at Ephesus has the hallmarks of being intended to function similarly within humanity’s greatest conflict.
Paul employs the rhetorical device of emphatic repetition to amplify the effect of what he is saying: “be strong…in the strength of…might” and “withstand…to stand…Stand.” Though in Greek the words used are not identical, our translators have accurately picked up on and nicely conveyed Paul’s rhetorical intent.
Repeated and bracketed within these emphatic repetitions is the bullseye center of what Paul is saying: “the WHOLE armor of God”. There is indeed much to reflect on regarding each piece of our spiritual armor; Paul’s central concern, though, is that no piece must be left out. Even though faith is preeminent among truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, salvation, and the word of God/sword of the Spirit, Paul’s overriding concern is that all the pieces must be in place. No warrior wants to find at the fatal moment that there is a chink in their armor.
This is a reminder that we are not to take an à la carte approach to our faith. Without the gospel of peace, some are girded with truth in hate rather than love. Without the breastplate of righteousness, some who wield the word of God are found to not be living it themselves.
Ask, what are my favorite and least favorite pieces of spiritual armor? When I experience a negative spiritual disruption, what piece is weak? What must I then do to be fully ready “to withstand in the evil day”?