A homily for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, by Fr. Joshua Leigeber.
St. Paul reminds us that the Christian life is a spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-17). The devil and his demons are real, and their schemes are often subtle, concealed beneath the ordinary distractions, resentments, and temptations of daily life. They seek to draw us away from Christ by encouraging us to neglect His Word, despise His gifts, and grow complacent in the faith. We must not underestimate our enemy, for we cannot overcome him by our own strength. But St. Paul does not leave us to fight alone. He calls us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might,” putting on the whole armor of God. Clothed with Christ in Holy Baptism, we stand in the victory He has already won through His death and resurrection. Through the preaching of the Gospel, Holy Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar, Christ strengthens and preserves us against the assaults of the evil one.
In the Gospel (John 4:46b-53), the royal official takes Jesus at His Word, trusting that his dying son will live even before he sees the promise fulfilled. So also, when the devil tempts us to doubt God’s promises or despair of our salvation, we cling to the sure and life-giving Word of Christ. The battle is real, but its outcome is not uncertain. Christ has conquered the ancient foe, and He will sustain us in His gifts until the day when we see His victory in all its glory.
Listen to the full homily below.