The eternal relevance of the scriptures continually blesses us with a lens through which to consider the events and culture of our times. In today’s first reading we encounter Athaliah, a wicked woman, bitter over her own son’s death, setting out to kill off the princes of the royal family.
However, Jehosheba, princess and industrious servant of the Lord, safely hides Joash, grandson of the aforementioned wicked woman, in the Lord’s temple. Jehosheba patiently trusts in the goodness of the Lord.
Seven years later, the armies are gathered for protection, and Joash is crowned King much to the people’s delight and rejoicing. Wicked Athaliah is put to death and covenants are made “between the Lord as one party and the king and the people as the other, by which they would be the Lord’s people; and another covenant between the king and the people.” (2 Kings 11:17).
Daily Challenges
Like the people in 2 Kings, we can see so much evil in our times. Every day there is a new height of demonic activity, manifesting itself in myriad ways. It is a daily challenge to know how to respond, but we need to reflect on our own covenant with the Lord.
Do we trust in His goodness? Do we truly believe in the power of prayer? Do we forgive without resentment? Do we stay in communion with God?
It seems worthwhile to just take a step back, avoid “doom scrolling.” Turn off the television. And just let God do His thing, even when we do not understand.
Further, we need to remember who we are. We are God’s royalty; His soldiers; His trusted and beloved chosen ones. Keeping our perspective surely irritates the evil one. Sometimes it seems he wants to fight back even more ferociously in our personal lives. But we must dismiss his advances, put on our armor, surround ourselves with the Archangels. And soldier on, storing up our treasures in heaven which cannot be taken from us.
No one has authority over us other than God. He is our trusted King, and His Holy Spirit will tell us what to do.
