Ready For Battle

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092914.cfm) reminds me that we should always be ready for and confident in battle.

Culture depicts the devil/satan as a powerful and scary creature, and it depicts God as a peaceful and loving creature. This sometimes make us think that the devil is more powerful than God. We forget that though God is peaceful and loving God, He is also powerful - more powerful than the devil. As such, as long as we are on God's side, we need not be afraid of anything or anyone.

The first reading shows us three saints whose feast we are celebrating today. Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael bravely and confidently fought the devil. They have a reason to do so, because they are on God's side.

War broke out in heaven;

Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.

The dragon and its angels fought back,

but they did not prevail

and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,

who is called the Devil and Satan,

who deceived the whole world,

was thrown down to earth,

and its angels were thrown down with it

In the gospel, we again see a glimpse of how powerful God through Jesus is. He is not bound by time and space. He may be in this world, but he is definitely not of this world.

Sometimes, when problems overwhelm us, we feel helpless. When the world seems to crush on us, we feel hopeless. When situations seem too strong for us, we feel afraid and insecure. We fear the power of the devil and what he can do to us. Today, we are reminded to be strong and confident as we fight for and with God.

Just as God is loving and peaceful, he also is very powerful. May this calm us and remind us who we should fight for.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week to work. Lord, I thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for all those celebrating their birthdays today especially my uncle Miguel. Always remind us Lord of your great love and power. MAy we always be ready and willing to bravely and confidently fight for you, the way the archangels did. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-