GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 27TH OCTOBER 2016
THURSDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Ephesians 6:10-20
PSALM: Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10
GOSPEL: Luke 13:31-35
THEME: GO AND TELL THAT FOX…
A spiritual fox is anyone who seeks to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel using sly tactics. Spiritual foxes would stealthily use their position of authority, knowledge, money or anything to bamboozle those who take the shine off them and then manoeuvre their way to their desired goal. However, in spite of their outward show, they are highly insecure people and they do what they do because of a yawning feeling of insecurity.
When Jesus was told that Herod was seeking to kill him, he replied, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work’” (Lk. 13:32).
A fox is an emblem of craftiness and artful mischief. Herod Antipas, the son of the blood thirsty Herod the Great, came from a family of political schemers. After the death of his father, Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea as a client state of the Roman empire. Just like his father, every decision he took was to secure his insecurity. He craftily assassinated John the Baptist and was eager to meet Jesus and possibly snuff out the light in his ministry. Jesus was probably in Perea, east of the Jordan river, the territory of Herod, when he received that message of threat.
From the time of Herod until now, there have been innumerable “foxes” who either clandestinely or openly make themselves antagonistic to the spread of the Gospel. Sometimes, you find them in places you least expect. However, in the footsteps of Jesus, we may consider the following:
1. Do not fear: Divine favour and destiny are on the side of one sent by God. There is no need to be afraid.
2. Keep focus: Paying too much attention to the bark (threat) of a fox distracts.
3. Finish: It is not enough to start. What was started well must be finished well.
Beyond what the physical eyes can see, Paul reminds us in the First Reading that we are not fighting with flesh and blood and that there is the need to put on the armour of God so that we may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Our weapons therefore should not be carnal in character but spiritual. He writes, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all God’s holy people” (Eph 6:18).
Prayer: All powerful God, you are the defender of the defenceless and the voice of the voiceless. Come to the aid of all your servants who have to contend with the threats of Herod. Be their strength and source of courage. For the sake of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).