Faith Today
October 29, 2026
Stand Firm in Faith, Gather in Love
“How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!”
Luke 13:34
Today's Reflection
Dear Brothers and Sisters, today's headline about providing Ukraine with means to defend its people and infrastructure resonates deeply with the call to take up spiritual and practical armor. Just as nations must protect their citizens in times of crisis, so too are we urged by scripture to actively defend those in our care, standing firm against forces of destruction and advocating for peace.
CopingToday's readings remind us that our struggles are not just outward but also spiritual. When news brings anxiety or hardship, we are invited to 'put on the full armour of God,' trusting that truth, faith, and prayer can help us cope with whatever comes our way.
FamilyThe longing of Jesus to gather Jerusalem's children, like a hen sheltering her brood, speaks powerfully to the importance of caring for family. Even when faced with rejection or danger, we are called to protect and nurture those closest to us with patience and love.
CommunityPaul urges us to pray for all 'God's holy people,' highlighting our responsibility to support our community. Especially in times of conflict or challenge, we are called to stand together, encourage one another, and spread peace within our circles and beyond.
Today's Readings
First Reading · Ephesians 6:10-20
[10] Finally, grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. [11] Put on the full armour of God so as to be able to resist the devil's tactics. [12] For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens. [13] That is why you must take up all God's armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance on the evil day, or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full. [14] So stand your ground, with truth a belt round your waist, and uprightness a breastplate, [15] wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace [16] and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to quench the burning arrows of the Evil One. [17] And then you must take salvation as your helmet and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of God. [18] In all your prayer and entreaty keep praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all God's holy people, [19] and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel [20] of which I am an ambassador in chains; pray that in proclaiming it I may speak as fearlessly as I ought to.
Psalm · Psalms 144:1, 2, 9-10
[1] [Of David] Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle, [2] my faithful love, my bastion, my citadel, my Saviour; I shelter behind him, my shield, he makes the peoples submit to me. [9] God, I sing to you a new song, I play to you on the ten-stringed lyre, [10] for you give kings their victories, you rescue your servant David. From the sword of evil
Gospel · Luke 13:31-35
[31] Just at this time some Pharisees came up. 'Go away,' they said. 'Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.' [32] He replied, 'You may go and give that fox this message: Look! Today and tomorrow I drive out devils and heal, and on the third day I attain my end. [33] But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. [34] 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! [35] Look! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you are saying: Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!'
