*HOMILY OF THURSDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A*
Eph 6: 10-20, Luke 13: 31-35
Our greatest problem as Christians is that we often expect a life that is itch free, forgetting that we have a lot to contend with.
Paul made it clear in our today’s first reading that we are contending with:
1. Principalities and Powers.
2. World rulers of spiritual darkness
3. Spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.
There are many forces to contend with in the vicinity or nations where we find ourselves which as individuals, we cannot expel, but can stop or destroy their works and equally keep ourselves safe from their operations.
We can squarely deal with those ones which deal with us directly because, some of them may be enjoying a legal right as a result of our personal choices in life or the choices of those close to us.
More so, there are different kingdoms of darkness operating in different spheres working against the anointed ones of God. Some of these forces are attached to nations, states, local governments, families, clans, tribes individuals etc. They can work, using individuals, some of which are not aware of the forces behind their activities. Their job is to monitor and equally control the affairs of their hosts or targets.
However, as people who belong to the household of God, we are overcomers. Hence, Paul tells us the way out.
*HOW DO WE OVERCOME?*
We overcome by,
Putting on God’s armour
1. Truth: Only this can set us free. Knowledge is power. We need to know the necessary spiritual principles that can help us to walk freely amidst all odds.
2. Righteous living: A good Christian life is inevitable.
3. Gospel of peace: We must be ready to share the gospel
4. Faith: We must firmly trust in the power of God to save.
5. Salvation: We must strive to live the new life of grace.
6. Word of God: We must put on the helmet of the Spirit, sword of the Spirit.
7. Prayers. This must be fervent, constant and unselfish.
Above all, we must not chicken out. We must be bold to put under our feet the threat of the agents of darkness in whatever shape they may take.
Jesus refused to be cowed down by the threat of Herod. He strongly put himself straight,
” _Go and tell that fox, behold, I cast out demons and perform cure
s today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course_ .” Luke 13:32
As God’s children, we must not panic. We have overcome the world.
May we recognise our place in Christ that we may always overcome the power of darkness wherever we find ourselves. Amen.
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