Ephesians 6:10-20 / Luke 13:31-35
If we know it is going to rain heavily, we will bring along an umbrella or even wear a raincoat when we need to go out.
And if we know it is going to be cold, then we will wear our winter jackets and other warm clothing.
If we don’t do what is necessary, then we only have ourselves to blame for not protecting ourselves.
As we go out into the world, we are faced with many dangers as well as temptations.
The first reading tells us to grow strong in the Lord, with the strength that comes from Him.
The reading also reminds us that it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but in fact, it is against the devil’s tactics and the spiritual army of evil and darkness.
We must put on the armour of God by praying all the time and praying in the Spirit and staying alert and awake to put out the burning arrows of the evil one.
In the gospel, Herod is like a fox out to kill Jesus, while Jesus is like a mother hen who gathers her children under her wings.
Jesus wants to gather us in His arms to protect us but we must want to do so.
We cannot rely on our own strength and defenses against the foxes of the world.
If we don’t stand by Jesus, we will not stand at all.
And we also need to stand united with each other, for when two or three are united in prayer, Jesus will be there to protect us.