Ambassador in Chains

October 30, 2008

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must. Ephesians 6:18-20

At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” Luke 13:31-32

Piety

Brother Jesus, give me the habit of prayer every day so I can lift up my eyes and raise my voice for you. Help me to open my ears and my heart to you and your Word. Holy Spirit, open my mouth to proclaim the bold mystery of the Good News and give me the courage to break through the chains and obstacles and speak as I must. Amen.

Study

Despite the imagery of the Roman soldier in today’s reading, the underlying message today reinforces the fact that we must “arm” ourselves not with weapons but with prayer. In Tuesday’s readings, we witnessed Jesus pulling an “all-nighter” as He prayed for the wisdom to choose the apostles. Today, once again we get the reminder to “pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.”

The image of the soldier, armed for battle with prayer, gives way to the image of the ambassador for Christ. However, this ambassador has no diplomatic immunity. Rather, this ambassador is in chains. Rather than boldly proclaiming the “mystery of the gospel,” the ambassador is chained by evil and temptation in the world. As St. Paul puts it, our struggle is with the “principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”

If you found yourself appointed today an ambassador for Christ, would you have the qualifications and credentials to represent Christ in the world? How will you get that portfolio?

Prayer will unchain us from the battles we face. Prayer will give us the credentials – the portfolio so to speak – to present to the leader of the world in which we are sent.

Action

The Holy Spirit does work in this world and answers prayers. This week the Spirit placed his hands on the appeal of Troy Davis in Georgia this week. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay of execution for Georgia inmate Troy Davis. The Court’s order is available here and a story from the news media is here.

The order gives Davis’ attorneys 15 days to file a brief, and allows the State of Georgia 10 days to respond.

Please keep the family of Savannah Police Officer Mark A. MacPhail as well as Troy Davis, his family and legal team in your thoughts and prayers.