October 31, 2004. Thursday of the 30th week in ordinary time. A reading from the letter of St. Paul

to the Ephesians. Brothers and sisters, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the powers,

with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

Therefore, put on the armor of God

that you may be able to resist on the evil day

and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,

clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,

and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming

arrows of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.

To that end, be watchful, with all perseverance and supplication,

for all the Holy Ones and also for me, that speech may be given me

to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an

ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must. The word of the Lord.

The responseorial Psalm.

The response is,

Blessed be the Lord, my rock.

Blessed be the Lord my rock,

who trains my hands for battle,

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