Diabolical Interference

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Proper 25, the week of the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings: (BCP, 991)

AM: Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49 (53)

Ecclus. 28:14-26; Rev. 12:1-6; Luke 11:37-52

Today we celebrate the Feast Days of Alfred the Great. (See below.)

Daily Office Epistle, Revelation 12:1-6

12:1A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2She was pregnant and was crying out in birthpangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.

David’s Reflections

The Revelation confronts us today with an eloquent mythological drama of Jesus’ coming portrayed at a cosmic level as the conflict between God and the forces of darkness. Satan sought to destroy the child of the woman in labor. That woman represents the messianic community of Israel giving birth to the Messiah, Jesus. The attempts to devour the child could include: the persecutions and trials suffered by Israel before Jesus’ birth, Herod’s attempt to kill the baby, Jesus’ temptations in the desert, repeated demonic sabotage of Jesus’ mission, and the events of his rejection, suffering, and death.

The child was snatched away by the resurrection and ascension, and the woman, now a symbol for the ongoing messianic community, the church as the Israel of God, finds herself nurtured and protected by God from the ongoing persecutions afflicting her. (See tomorrow’s and Friday’s readings.)

Should we expect less than diabolical interference with the church’s mission in the world today? The powers of darkness continue unrelentingly to enslave and ensnare people and to blind them to the absolute grace and mercy flowing from Christ. Our attempts to love people, to include them, to share the message of God’s love with them will meet with resistance, difficulty, crisis, and conflict.

The same will be true for us personally. The moment you resolve to deepen your own commitment and investment in church, worship, ministry, and witness, in that very moment the darkness within you and the powers of darkness around you will begin making life quite complex and difficult. You may wonder what you are doing wrong, when in fact you are doing something right.

This quote from David Bolt has shed light on my experience in multiple moments of conflict.

Anyone who has ever tried to formulate a private prayer in silence, and

in his own heart, will know what I mean by diabolical interference. The forces of evil

are in opposition to the will of God. And the nearer a (person’s) man's will approaches

God's the more apparent and stronger and more formidable this opposition is seen to

be. It is only when we are going in more or less the same direction as the devil that we

are unconscious of any opposition at all.+

Conceive of Satan in personal or mythic terms—it matters not. We have enough experience to know of evil’s reality.

The Revelation presents us with a vision of confidence in God’s triumph, in the triumph of saving love over all opposition. Ours is to embrace that vision and to believe it so firmly that we are set free to throw ourselves into the challenges of Christian living, worship, and witness without flinching at the difficulties. The dragon may intend to devour us, but, as was the case with Jesus, the dragon’s diet will be limited by God’s conquering love.

Collect of the Day: Proper 25, the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 235)

Today we celebrate the Feast Days of Alfred the Great, king of the west Saxons (died 26 Oct 899 CE).

Collect of the Feast of Alfred the Great

O God, who called your servant Alfred to an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave him zeal for your church and love for your people: Grant that we, inspired by his example and prayers, may remain steadfast in the work you have given us to do for the building up of your reign of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For stewardship of creation

O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 259)

A Prayer for Light

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer