The Preoccupation for the Flock

WORD 2day: Wednesday after the Ascension Sunday

June 5, 2019: Acts 20: 28-38; John 17: 11b-19

The readings today present to us the preoccupation that Jesus and St.Paul have for the flock that they leave behind, as St. Paul sets off to Jerusalem and Jesus contemplates returning to his Father! The total dedication that both had towards those entrusted to them is known to us and it is best expressed in the phrase that St. Paul uses quoting his Master: it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Keeping the faith, being true to the message of the Lord, persevering in the tradition in which one is brought up, not letting oneself be swayed by newer teachings and fancier presentations...these are the preoccupations that are expressed here and proposed to us. These concerns prompt to us two important qualities that are necessary: Spiritual Sincerity and Constant Discernment. 

The times today are marked by a certain fickle minded hopping from tradition to tradition in the name of "search" for the truth and reckless trial-and-error attempts of innumerable sects and factions. If they are spiritually sincere and they discerned with rigour, well and good. But if these switches come from an unfounded mind and a lack of persevering dedication, they are the dangers that Paul and Jesus warn us against.

Spiritual sincerity is to be true the innermost promptings and Constant discernment is the way to reach that true core! The Spirit gives us that grace and we are in the novena towards the great feast of the Spirit... let us invoke the Spirit with love and courage!