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APRIL 10<br />
THE ARMOR OF PEACE<br />
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to<br />
withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.<br />
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put<br />
on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever<br />
will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take<br />
the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming<br />
arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the<br />
Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6: 13-17)<br />
I note today that while St. Paul uses military imagery here, he is actually<br />
making a point about peace; about “the gospel of peace.” He is calling me<br />
to peace with the people in my visible surroundings, reminding me that<br />
any loss of peace/disturbance I experience on account of others is in me,<br />
in my heart. “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh,<br />
but against… the spiritual forces of evil...” (Eph 6: 12)<br />
Today if I feel frustrated, angry, or annoyed with any people, institutions,<br />
or situations in my life, I am reminded to look inside myself, and shed<br />
the light of the “gospel of peace” on my part in any circumstance or<br />
relationship. This doesn’t mean that I have to pretend that others around<br />
me are perfect, but I am not called to control their journeys. I am called<br />
to take care of my part, with His help, with “the sword of the Spirit, which<br />
is the word of God,” which clothes me in truth, righteousness, faith, and<br />
the rest of “the whole armor of God.” I let Him arm me today, in His peace.<br />
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