30th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Eph 6:10-20
Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. 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. 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. So stand fast with your loins g irded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Gospel: Lk 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” 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. 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.’ “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! 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.”
COMMITTED TO MISSION: Paul reminds us that Christians are in a war against the devil and we are to be armed with the sword which is the word of God and well protected with the shield of faith. In the gospel Jesus is not worried about his own security and but his life is focused on the mission given to him by the Father. He is well aware of his destiny in Jerusalem as it happened for other prophets before him. It is not without knowing it that he started his ministry; in fact, he is eager to accomplish that supreme sacrifice. It is said, “One who has a ‘why’ can bear with any ‘how’”. When we have a strong purpose, a reason (why), the suffering or difficulties (the how) that may accompany it is not going to deter us from the purpose. We need a strong ideal to live and die for.
Prayer: Deliver us from Evil, O Lord.
DAILY GOSPEL 