Thursday October 31, 2024

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Good News Reflections:
Making scripture meaningful to your daily life
by Terry Modica

Instead of allowing the forces of darkness to continue, we should be invading its territory with the light of Christ.

Good News Reflection for:

Thursday of the 30th Week of Ordinary Time
October 31, 2024

Today’s Prayer:

Get into my heart, Lord, and work in it and don’t stop even if it hurts. I want to let You reign in me, and to stop fighting You and be Your Holy Spirit’s temple. Amen.

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Today’s Readings:

Ephesians 6:10-20
Psalm 144:1b-2,9-10
Luke 13:31-35
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103124.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-october-31-2024

Wearing the armor of God

It is fitting that as we approach All Saints Day, we’re given the armor of God in today’s first reading, because sainthood requires standing firm against the tactics of the devil. Likewise, it’s a very appropriate scripture for Halloween, which is a “high holy day” for satanic and witchcraft covens, a day in which demonic forces are glorified in black masses and other occult rituals, in movies, and in parties and decorations that are used even by Christians.

Instead of cooperating with the Satan’s intentions for Halloween, we should do everything possible to serve as signposts of Sainthood, pointing the world (starting with our families, our neighbors, our co-workers, and our fellow parishioners) to Christ and his examples of holiness.

Instead of allowing the forces of darkness to continue to harass us and oppress us and our loved ones and the world around us, we should be invading its territory with the light of Christ. We should use the armor of God, not as a magic scripture to quote, but as a lifestyle.

Here’s how to put on this armor. Pray:

Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I ask you to help me wear the full armor of the Christian life, as described in Ephesians 6:10-17.

My loins are girded in truth, because I have chosen to imitate Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I want to grow in my understanding of truth by studying your Word and the Church’s teachings. Holy Spirit, help me to continually improve my ability to recognize the truth and to live by the truth.

I am clothed with righteousness as my breastplate, because Jesus died for my sins. By following him, I receive his righteousness. Holy Spirit, help me to identify my sinfulness so that I may repent and be restored to the full righteousness that Jesus has provided. I pray for your help in following Christ’s example of holy living so that my righteousness is evident to everyone.

I am wearing the sandals of evangelization; help me to be ready throughout this day to spread the Gospel of Peace by the way I live my life. Let others see you, oh Lord, in me, as I respond to their needs and give them your unconditional love.

I am holding faith as my shield to protect me from temptation. Holy Spirit, you have given me faith as a gift. Help me to rely on this faith as I strive to remain on the path of righteousness and evangelization. May your faith keep me strong in times of trial.

My mind is protected by the helmet of salvation, because during my baptism I received the mind of Christ, who died for me and saved me from being destroyed by my sinfulness. Let your thoughts become ever clearer to me.

I am carrying and wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Holy Spirit, help me to learn the Word so thoroughly that I can use it to defeat the devil and grow in holiness and help the Church advance the work and mission of your kingdom.

Thank you, Lord, for all this armor that you have given me. Amen!

This prayer is online at gnm.org/prayers-armor-of-god. For WordBytes on Halloween and other topics of spiritual warfare, see wordbytes.org/occult

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