Feria Quarta infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes
1 Novembris – IV. classis
Epistle: Brethren: Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil… (Ephesians 6:10–17)
Gospel: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that was a king, who would take an account of his servants… (Matthew 18:23–35)
The Church, in her perennial wisdom, sets before us today two readings that unveil both the spiritual conflict of the Christian life and the demands of divine mercy. From St. Paul, we receive a vivid martial exhortation to put on the armatura Dei, the whole armor of God. From Our Lord’s own mouth, in the parable recorded by St. Matthew, we hear of the King’s mercy—and the danger of a merciless heart.
These texts converge in this penitential season following All Saints’ Day, when Holy Church calls the faithful to sobriety, vigilance, and charity as the liturgical year nears its end.
Clothed for Battle: Ephesians 6:10–17
St. Paul, writing from his Roman imprisonment, urges the faithful to take up arms—not against flesh and blood, but against “principalities and powers… the rulers of the world of this darkness.” The Christian is a soldier, drafted not by Caesar but by Christ the King.
St. Jerome, commenting on this passage, writes:
“No one is crowned unless he has striven lawfully. The Christian must be ever armed, ever prepared, for the enemy does not sleep.”
(Epistle to Ephesians, Book III)
What are these arms? They are no earthly weapons, but virtues forged in grace: truth, justice, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. Each piece of armor corresponds to a Christian virtue that fortifies the soul against temptation and the attacks of the evil one.
St. John Chrysostom adds:
“Do you see how Paul arouses the soldiers and excites them to war? He does not say simply, ‘Stand,’ but ‘Withstand.’ Withstand whom? The devil. That enemy is fierce, that enemy is cunning; but Christ is mightier.”
(Homily XXII on Ephesians)
Let us take heed, then, not to slumber spiritually. We are not at peace in this life but at war—yet our confidence lies not in our strength but in “the might of His power.”
A Heart Without Mercy: Matthew 18:23–35
From armor, we turn to account-books. The Gospel speaks of a king settling debts. One servant, found to owe ten thousand talents—an astronomical sum—is forgiven. But he, refusing to show mercy for a far smaller debt, is handed over to the torturers.
St. Augustine, interpreting this passage, writes:
“The ten thousand talents signify all our sins—immense and beyond human repayment. God forgives entirely, but He demands that we imitate His mercy toward our brethren.”
(Sermon 83 on the New Testament)
The moral is clear: Forgiveness received must be forgiveness given. To be merciless after receiving mercy is a kind of spiritual perjury.
The Venerable Bede, with his usual clarity, writes:
“This parable warns us that we must not delay to forgive others, lest we lose the forgiveness already granted us.”
(In Mattheum, Lib. I)
As we prepare for the Last Judgment—the theme of these waning weeks of the liturgical year—Our Lord warns us: those who harden their hearts shall find the King’s mercy withdrawn. It is not that God grows less merciful, but that the merciless soul has rendered itself incapable of receiving mercy.
Bridging the Readings: The Warrior Who Forgives
Why has Holy Church paired these two readings today?
Because the battle St. Paul describes is not only against temptation but against resentment, hardness of heart, and spiritual pride. The devil delights when we clutch our grievances, when we refuse to pardon, when we cloak our vengeance in righteousness. True strength lies in humility; true warfare includes the conquest of the self.
St. Leo the Great teaches:
“Let the Christian examine his heart; let him forgive, that he may be forgiven. The true imitator of Christ is one who prays for his enemies.”
(Sermon on the Passion, XII)
To forgive is not weakness, but triumph—the kind of triumph Our Lord wrought from the Cross. And only a soul thus armored can stand firm in the evil day.
Practical Exhortation
As we reflect on these readings this Wednesday after All Saints’, consider the following:
- Are you daily putting on the armor of God, through prayer, mortification, confession, and reception of the sacraments?
- Are you harboring resentment or failing to forgive a past offense?
- Have you imitated the mercy of the King, or are you like the wicked servant?
Let the close of the Church’s year find you not only prepared for battle, but rich in mercy.
“Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Suggested Collect (adapted from the season):
O God, our refuge and our strength, who art the author of mercy and the lover of peace, grant that we, armed with the shield of faith and the sword of Thy word, may conquer the temptations of the evil one and live in charity with our neighbor, through Christ our Lord. Amen.