My dear brothers and sisters, parting words carry the true weight of a person’s soul. Today, Paul finishes his emotional goodbye to the Ephe...
My dear brothers and sisters, parting words carry the true weight of a person’s soul. Today, Paul finishes his emotional goodbye to the Ephesian elders on his knees, weeping and praying with them on the beach. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus continues His intimate prayer to the Father for the disciples He is about to leave behind in the world.
Paul leaves the elders with a strict command: 'Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock.' He warns them that fierce wolves will try to invade and distort the truth. They are called to be Guardians. In a world full of noise, shifting morals, and spiritual compromise, we too are called to be guardians of the truth, protecting our families, our faith, and our communities from the 'wolves' of division and deception.
But how do guardians act? They act not out of greed, but out of love. Paul reminds them of his own example—working with his hands to support the weak—and quotes a beautiful, unwritten saying of Jesus: 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.' We are called to be Givers. True guardianship is rooted in self-giving love, a stewardship that pours itself out for the weak and vulnerable.
Finally, how do we find the strength to guard and to give without burning out? We do so by staying Grounded. Jesus prays to the Father for us: 'Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.' To be consecrated means to be set apart, deeply rooted in God's reality.
When the storms of life hit and challenges arise, let us remain grounded in the Word, so that we can boldly serve as guardians of the faith and cheerful givers of God's love. Amen.
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