Ephesians 6:13

Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The ancient king Pyrrhus fought a tremendous and ultimately successful battle with the foe, but with such catastrophic loss to his army that he lamented, “Another such victory and I am undone”.  Some Christians tend to achieve Pyrrhic victories too, “winning souls” or “doing the Lord’s work” while catastrophically neglecting their marriage, children, or commitment to God.  It is one thing to “withstand in the evil day”.  It is another thing entirely to “stand” when all the dust has settled.  That’s why God provides us with his spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, sword of the Spirit and shield of faith.  All these are forged for us in the Eucharist and all these are put on by us when we faithfully participate in the sacraments and life of Holy Church.  Today, take the whole armor of God and soldier through to the end.