Judges 6:12

 

📖 Verse

“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.’” (Judges 6:12 ESV) Bible Hub+2Bible Study Tools+2
In the Douay-Rheims (Catholic) translation: “The angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said: The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men.” Bible Hub+1

 

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🧐 Explanation 

• Context: The Israelites are being oppressed by the Midianites because they have turned away from God. Bible Gateway+1

• The man addressed is Gideon. He is hiding, threshing wheat in a winepress so the enemy won’t find him. (Not exactly the battlefield hero you’d imagine.) Bible Hub+1

• Then the angel of the Lord appears and says to Gideon: “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

  • On the face of it: Seems ironic — he is hiding, scared, doing threshing, not obviously mighty. BibleRef.com

  • Deeper meaning: God sees not just what we are, but what we can become. The greeting is a recognition of what God will make of Gideon, and a promise that God’s presence is with him. Bible Study Tools+1

• For Catholics/catechumens: This is a moment of calling — God says to an unlikely person: “I’m with you.” It’s a reminder of God’s mercy, of vocation, of being chosen despite our weaknesses.

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🎯 Application 

• You’re not hiding forever. Maybe you’re doing “wine-press” work right now: small, hidden, maybe even ashamed of your situation. God still says to you: “I’m with you, mighty one.” Even if you feel weak, invisible, or unworthy.

• Expect the unexpected call. Gideon got called to fight the Midianites, but he was busy being fearful. God may call you out of your comfort zone — out of the grain‐threshing, hiding, “just getting by” mode — into something bold. Don’t be surprised if God wakes you up like a surprise midnight raid (with fewer swords, hopefully).

• Embrace the irony. “Mighty man of valor” said to a guy trying not to be found. That’s God’s sense of humour in action: He picks the underdog. So if you’re thinking “Who am I to …?”, remember that’s exactly the kind of person God uses. (Yes, that includes you, catechumen reading this!)

• Presence over performance. The key message is: God’s presence. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to allow God to be with you. The battle is not yours alone.

• Catholic angle – call & mission. Think of your baptism/preparation: you have been claimed and commissioned. Just like Gideon, you’ve been called. Maybe you haven’t “thrown down altars” yet (metaphorically speaking) but the Lord is with you.

• Dark humorous twist: When God says to you “you mighty warrior,” maybe you first think “Are you sure you have the wrong person? I just spilled coffee on my catechism manual and forgot my rosary last week.” That’s okay — God often chooses the one with the mess. He doesn’t send only those with spotless records. He sends those who say “yes” even after the coffee spill.

• Challenge for the week: Identify one “winepress” moment in your life (a place you’re hiding, feeling ashamed, or staying small) and whisper to yourself: “The LORD is with me, even here.” Then take one step — small or big — out of hiding.

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🙏 Reflection Prayer

Lord God,
You appear to me in the murky winepresses of my life — the hidden fears, the quiet failures, the “I’m just trying to survive” moments. You call me “mighty warrior,” even when I feel like I’m barely paddling.
Help me to believe that You are with me — not just in the bright, shiny victories, but in the obscure, dusty corners of my everyday. Give me the courage to step out of hiding, to respond to Your call, even if I feel ill-equipped.
In my catechumen journey (or in my continued life as Your baptized child), let me remember that You don’t call the perfect, You call the willing. Make me your instrument.
And if I spill the coffee again, remind me that You still think I’m valiant. Because You do.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.