Day 61 - Clothe yourselves ...

Ephesians 6:10-17

As you read this reflection, I will be in a field. Rather an unusual place for me to spend a Sunday, I will admit, but this field is actually on an RAF base. RAF Wittering to be precise, and I will not be there alone. I will be surrounded by around 300 cadets and staff at the annual Wing Field Day for the South and East Midlands Wing.

The day incudes inter-squadron competitions on activities including drill, aviation, first aid, orienteering, fieldcraft and lots more. It is a chance for the cadets to try new activities and make new friends, and for the old hands like Harry, who will be attending his last Wing Field Day as a cadet before he “ages-out” in July, reconnecting with friends they have made in other squadrons throughout their time in the organisation.

It is not always easy being a person of faith in a military organisation. My role as Padre is to help the cadets explore not only faith but also what it means to be a good citizen in the world and how they can stand up for what is right and make good choices that will benefit the wider community.

I was drawn to this passage in Ephesians as it helps us to understand that sometimes life can feel like a battle and we must be prepared for the fight. But not with weapons of mass destruction. Instead using those gifts that God has provided us as we face up against our foes.

Although the authorship and date of this letter have been much debated, it is traditionally thought to have been written by Paul in around 62 CE while he was imprisoned in Rome and was addressed to the church in Ephesus (which is in modern day Turkey). Paul was very much in a battle when he wrote this letter, under house arrest and facing trail and execution, and perhaps this is why his imagery of spiritual warfare is so vibrant in what he writes. Here we are encouraged to put on the belt of truth and the armour of righteousness, the shoes of peace and the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit through the word of God. Then we will be appropriately clothed so we “...will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (v13)

This passage contrasts with Colossians 3:12-15, when again Paul is talking about wearing God’s gifts as we would clothes. Here though the language is softer as we should wear mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, and over it all place love “...which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (V14-15)

Today, at Wing Field Day, the cadets and staff will be dressed in their uniforms. They will be looking super smart with everything ironed, polished, and correct. This is the appropriate clothing for the event. In these two passages, Paul is saying that we need to clothe ourselves in God’s gifts as is appropriate to the occasion, each and every day, ready to face whatever we meet, wherever we are.

Catherine Booton