Ephesians 6:12-18, 1 Thes 3:7-13, Matthew 24:42-51, Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14 & 17

Daily Meditation:  Ephesians 6:12-18

Ephesians 6:12-18

12 Our battle is not against human forces but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers that govern this world. We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil.

13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that in the evil day, you may resist and stand your ground, making use of all your wea­pons. 14 Take truth as your belt, justice as your breastplate, 15 and zeal as your shoes to propagate the Gospel of peace. 16 Always hold in your hand the shield of faith to repel the flaming arrows of the devil. 17 Final­ly, use the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the Word of God.

18 Pray at all times as the Spirit in­spires you. Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones.

It would seem that St. Paul is describing our times and is advising us how to combat the evils of this particular generation that seems more dark, sinister and entrenched in sin than any  age before our own.

Beloved, I am called to work for the coming of Your Kingdom here on earth.  I can be effective only if I am ready to do battle with the world, the flesh and the devil.  To be effective, I must practice the advice given  by St. Paul to the Christians at Ephesus in these verses.  I must put on Your whole armor in order to resist evil, I must remain firm by making use of all the tools that Holy Mother Church makes available to her children.  Finally, verse 18 ought to be a way of life of me.  Awake or asleep, I must be bound to You and Your Holy Spirit in constant prayer, always on guard, making intercession for all who work tirelessly in Your vineyard.

Daily Mass Readings:  1 Thessalonians 3:7-13, Matthew 24:42-51, 

                                      Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14 & 17

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13

My Beloved so much of what I have mediated on in the letter to the Ephesians is echoed in these verses.  When I stand firm in faith, Your whole Body is strengthened and great joy is experienced by those who pray ceaselessly as they see their labor bear fruit.  Thank You for the generosity of service in love offered by so many laborers, which has laid a firm foundation and offers an everlasting example as we labor through grace, and follow in their footsteps.  Bless all who work for Your Kingdom and strengthen us in Your Holy Spirit.

Matthew 24:42-51

The alarm has been sounded by You in verses 42,and 44 "Stay awake, then for you do not know on what day Your Lord will come."  "So be alert, for the Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect."  It is easy to slide in to laziness and become slipshod in matters of our faith if we allow the culture to insidiously take over and deaden our conscience.  Time is running out and every day we are nearer to death, judgment and eternity, yet we fail to remember that life is short.  Help me to be like the good servant who does not fail You but is found working diligently when Your call to come home is heard. 

Psalm 90:4, 14 & 17

4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has passed, or like a watch in the night.

14 Fill us at daybreak with your goodness, that we may be glad all our days.

17 May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us; may he prosper the work of our hands.

Purify my intentions and bless all my work my Lord.