Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​Sweet! Today's first reading includes one of my favorite Bible verses! "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens" (Ephesians 6:12).

Yeah, I know it doesn't sound that poetic or inspiring at first.

But it reminds me of two things: (1) the real battle is with the devil and his demons, against sin and death, and (2) it's not with the people around me.

First, it's easy to forget about the hidden spiritual reality happening all around us. While it's true that our sins are actions that go against the Lord's will, they also represent small spiritual battles that we've lost. And when we choose to follow God's will even when it's hard, those are small spiritual battles that we've won. Every choice for or against our Lord is a battle against the temptations and obstacles that the devil and his demons throw at us. Our struggle is with "the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."

That brings me to my second point. With all the conflict and drama we endure with other people, it's also easy to forget that our battle is not really with other people. I'm not saying that Catholics shouldn't argue with people or fight for a good cause even if facing opposition from someone. But everyone around you is also engaged in the very same spiritual battle as you are. Everyone around you is struggling against temptations and sin. Everyone around you is in a spiritual battle with the devil and his demons. Just because someone often chooses to go against the Lord's will does not make them your enemy. After all, don't you and I often choose to go against the Lord's will, too?

The devil likes to divide and conquer, to sow seeds of discord among us, to turn us against each other. He tries to trick us into believing that he doesn't exist, and that our real battle is with all those "bad people" out there. But the reality is that we are all God's beloved children, brothers and sisters in His family. Even during those times when we are most frustrated with people, it's important to remember that they've got the same Father who loves them with the same infinite love with which He loves us. Some of us get more lost than others at times, but the Lord never stops fighting to bring them His mercy and love.

And neither should we.

"For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."

When are some times you have sinned and gone against the Lord's will? What is something practical you can do today to choose God and follow the Lord's will? 

What temptations or obstacles are you currently struggling with?

Who is someone that you truly struggle to love like you should? What can you do to better understand and love that person? 

​"Lord, deliver us from evil."

"Thy will be done."

"Lord, grant us victory." 

Take some time today and to reflect on the temptations and obstacles in your life that you are currently struggling with. Ask the Lord to help you fight those temptations and obstacles. Be confident that the Lord will help you fight those spiritual battles.

"‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’"

Those words are the scariest in all of scripture.

I would never want to hear Jesus say that to me. Would Jesus really deny knowing me? Am I living my life in a way that would make Him say that?

So you might ask "How in the world is this good news?" That's what the gospel is, right? Well, actually this reading is full of good news. How are we supposed to know that Heaven is worth it, if we do not have to work for it, if it's simply just given to us?

My friends, this journey is not easy. It is not for the faint of heart. We are given an opportunity especially in this world to fight the good fight, to have the opportunity to truly walk through the narrow gate. As St. Paul says in his letter to Timothy "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." We can be heroes!

This is such good news! Look at the lives of the saints, the men and woman who walked through the narrow gate. Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio, was only 14 years old when he was martyred! Soldiers cut up his feet and made him walk to his death. The entire time he was shouting “Viva Cristo Rey!”. He was canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016. Blessed Chiara Luce Badano suffered greatly with a rare and painful bone cancer, and in her last days at the age of 18 she planned her wedding with Jesus. Her last words were "Bye, Mum, be happy, because I am."

These two extremely young saints of the last century are wonderful examples of this fight. They walked down the narrow path. If they can do it, through embracing all of the struggles that they faced, then you can too. We have been given an incredible opportunity to live in a culture that is against us, we have been given the opportunity to be heroes.
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So, friends, go out there and live a radical call to the gospel, because Jesus is not looking for lukewarmness, He's looking for the fire in your eyes, and in your heart. So go to Him, run to Him with all of that passion. You've got this, I believe in you. ​

"I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."​ (2 Timothy 4:7)

In what parts of your life are you struggling? Do you think Jesus would tell you to depart from Him? How can you give these areas over to God? 

What saint do you admire? Why? How can you follow their example? 

You are called to be a hero. How can you live that out?

"I have kept the faith." 

"This is the good news." 

​"I am called to be a hero."

Today, look up a saint you don't know much about. It can be St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio, Blessed Chiara Luce Badano or another saint. Ask this saint to help you grow in holiness and be a hero. 

A couple of years ago I was on a cruise with my mom, and it was a blast! Every day we would sail around the ocean, stop at beautiful islands to explore and then at night we would see amazing shows, from comedy to ice skating and one thing that is unforgettable was the food! I mean who wouldn't love high quality food that is all you can eat, which indeed I did eat all I could! In fact, every night my dinner would consist of at least two steaks that was followed by two desserts, so indeed I was enjoying myself!

Yet, the interesting thing about a cruise is that it cost extra money to have a 2 person table and since my mother and I are cheap and don't mind talking to strangers we settled for sitting at a table for 8 each night with random people. We would make small talk and talk about the daily adventures of visiting islands, but nothing life changing. Then one meal we sat down with these 5 ladies in their late 20's and before we ate one of the girls looked around the table and said, "Who wants to say grace?" All of a sudden my jaw dropped because I was so amazed and my mom turned to me and said, "well go ahead!" I said grace and then told the ladies that I was studying to be a priest and the rest of the meal was filled with amazingly fruitful conversation about the Lord and His love! 

I remember after the meal going back to my room and mediating on the beauty of those women's boldness at the dinner table with complete strangers. They didn't know us, we didn't know them, yet they were not afraid to proclaim their love of Christ and for them grace before meals was not an option, but just something that a person should always do. I reflected deeper and thought, "wow I'm studying to be a priest and I thought that it would be rude or awkward to say we should pray at a table of strangers, yet those women were not afraid of the glory of God, and were truly proclaimers of His love!"

You see that invitation of, "who wants to pray?" was simply a mustard seed, yet those women were not afraid to plant that seed and allow a large bush of God's joy to grow at our table that day and even to this moment that meal was the best of the entire trip.

So let us not be afraid to plant small mustard seeds and allow the Lord to do His work and bring about His glory!

Reflect on a time someone you witnessed someone planting a mustard seed of faith. Maybe they shared their faith with you or with someone else. How did that experience bless you and bring you closer to the Lord?

How often do you plant small, simple mustard seeds of faith? What prevents you from doing so? What is it like when you do share your faith with someone else? How does that experience bless you?

Talk to the Lord about how often you share your faith with others. Ask for His help with the obstacles that prevent you from doing so. Thank Him for the times you've been able to share your faith.

How is the Lord calling you to take the next step in sharing your faith? What can you do to make it happen?

"Jesus, help me plant seeds of faith."

"God, use me to bring your love to others."

​"Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your courage."

So what is that next step the Lord is calling you to take in sharing your faith with others? What practical goal can you set for yourself today to make it happen? Make it small, simple and attainable... like a mustard seed.