GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
As a teacher, ever since my first year, even until now, I have always preferred to stand-up and teach. I don’t even prefer to sit down for small group instruction, or even for my lunch. Not every teacher is like that and I am not saying that I am doing anything better than other teachers. It’s just my way of working because it helps me to focus and not get lazy. This is even the case at parish. I don’t like sitting down during coffee hour--for the most part. Rather, I prefer to walk around and talk to everyone. In a way, it’s good that I am Orthodox because we always have to stand for the majority of the time for liturgical services.
Standing is a physical posture that makes our brains more alert and ready to tackle the task and responsibilities that are ahead of us. Sitting down does have its benefits when we have to read or write something.
Standing is not only physical but also has spiritual connotations. In the Pauline epistle read today, St. Paul says, in Phil 6: 10-13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Here, St. Paul tells us to stand. It’s not a literal standing up. But it can be visualized as such. St. Paul is saying that when the devil attacks with his temptations we should stand firm in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and resist. It sounds like warfare; because it is! St. Paul is writing about our spiritual battle with evil by providing imagery that was common for his time. The Roman soldier had many pieces of armor and a Jew, like Paul, and all other Jews, would have on a daily basis seen these soldiers walking around and policing the areas that they lived in. The times may have changed but St. Paul’s words still resonate with us today.
St. Paul doesn’t not only tell us that we need to stand up against the devil and his evil ways. He shows us how. In Phil. 6: 14-17, he specifically tells his readers/hearers at the church in Ephesus to put on the various pieces of armor of the Roman soldier. And in each piece of armor, he provides a spiritual connection to Christian teaching, so that we can become strengthened for the battle that we have against evil. This section of the New Testament is as real to us as it was to those reading and hearing it in the time of St. Paul.
Belt of Truth: The Roman soldier had a belt that went around his waist that kept his uniform together. Plus, the belt, tightened around his waist, held the sword and other necessary weapons. For us Christians, we need to stand up, especially these days with the Truth of the Gospel and not be ashamed of what we believe. For the soldier, if the belt is removed, he will lose balance because his armor/uniform will be too lose and may come off. Likewise, if we don’t have the belt of truth grided around our waist, then we will become off balance and unprepared for whatever the devil has in store for us.
Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate was extremely important for the soldier because it prevented arrows from directly cutting into their vital organs. When we have a life of righteousness, we don’t allow the devil to have a foot hold on our lives. We should all attempt to live a righteous life and not allow the devil to take room in our lives.
Shoes for the Gospel of Peace: The shoes for the Roman soldier were important because the whole top armor could have been perfect but if the shoes were not worn properly or too worn out then the soldier would not get very far in fighting. The shoes also provided stability, allowing the soldier to move around correctly. Likewise, we should stand on our two feet with the Gospel of Peace for all those who we encounter, not sarcasm, judgmentalism, or being negative, but a person who brings peace and love to everyone.
Shield of Faith: Without the shield the soldier was a dead man. Likewise, we as Christians have to have our shield up in order to protect us from evil. Faith provides that shield. Faith is trust in God that He will protect us and guide us in the right path.
Helmet of Salvation: Salvation is the greatest miracle. Salvation is basically our relationship with the Lord, here on earth. And when we die, it continues into the Kingdom of God. The helmet for the soldier is a protection for head area. The head area is very sensitive and if harmed could mean sudden death. This is the reason why we have mandatory laws for helmets when riding a motorcycle. Our relationship with God, Jesus Christ, is always to be protected. We should be careful to have our helmet always on so that we maintain our relationship with our Lord.
Sword of the Spirit: The sword is used to bring harm to the enemy. Without the sword the soldier would be on defense during the whole fight. It’s the Holy Spirit that we as Orthodox Christians have inside of us that we must use to bring harm to the kingdom of evil. The Holy Spirit gives us power to fight and to defeat the temptations and sins of this world.