The Final Word
“Who can be against us?”
Happy Halloween! Sisters, while Halloween brings on an onslaught of rough stuff, today’s first reading reminds us not to despair. We all know that Halloween tends to encourage plenty of people to start messing with spiritual stuff that should be left well alone, and that can be a little bit nerve-wrecking.
But we don’t need to be afraid because, “in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us.” Nothing that gets stirred up this Halloween can come against us because our God has already won the fight. I need that reminder. Sisters, when we stand in the love of God,
We conquer overwhelmingly.
Nothing can stand against God’s love. God’s love has already won the fight, and evil just can’t stand it. Light always conquers the dark. Life always conquers death. Love always conquers hate.
So go wish your trick or treat-ers a Happy Halloween. When you greet them, offer them the Father’s love. Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation in the costumes that are good, and say a little prayer for the souls inside the costumes that aren’t. Truth, beauty, goodness, love - that’s the heart of our God. And nothing, not even Halloween, can mess with our God. Our God has the final word.
Father,
Thank You for the fun that comes from Halloween. Thank You for the community time that comes from Halloween. Thank You for every good thing that comes from our celebration of Halloween.
Father, we know that plenty of bad spiritual stuff gets stirred up on this holiday, so please guard and protect each of us and all our loved ones. Please put a little forcefield around each of Your children.
Father, we proclaim that You are God, and You are good. Through our baptism, we claim the Kingdom authority that You offer to us. And, in that Kingdom Authority, we come against any evil or demonic forces that want to interfere in our lives today. We proclaim that the cross has the final word. We proclaim the victory of God is the final word.
In Jesus’ holy name, we cast out any and all evil forces working against us, and we command that you go directly to Jesus to do with you what He will. We proclaim the truths we have professed in our baptismal vows today:
I reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, please give us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. Father, please keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
Amen.