Diabolical Interference
- davidwperk
- Oct 31, 2024
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Proper 25, the week of the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s epistle reading:
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.
You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.
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 John Wyclif. (See below.)
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 people 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. What happens if you resolve to deepen your own commitment, to become all you can be in Christ, and to 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 absolutely 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.+
Again, 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. Diabolical interference does not get the last word.
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 of John Wyclif, translator and controversialist (died 31 Dec 1384 CE)
Collect of the Feast of John Wyclif
O God, your justice continually challenges your Church to live according to its calling: Grant us who now remember the work of John Wyclif contrition for the wounds which our sins inflict on your Church, and such love for Christ that we may seek to heal the divisions which afflict his Body; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for 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 the Sick
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those (or N., or NN.) for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 260)
A Prayer for Light
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)
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)
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.
Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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