Preoccupation for the Flock

WORD 2day: Wednesday after Ascension 

June 1, 2022: 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 of them 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! Here it is not only about giving or getting, it is about being preoccupied with the good of each other, in the flock. Who cares about whom!

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.

Spiritual Sincerity refers to the openness we have towards the constant messages and challenges from the Lord, which might sometimes and in fact, many times call for a change, a renewal a critical upgrade. Constant Discernment refers to the diligence with which one holds on to the traditional faith and way of life, handed down in time, in the face of so-called modernisation and advancements.    

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 discerned with rigour, well and good. But if they come from an unfounded mind and a lack of persevering dedication, they are the dangers that Paul and Jesus warn us against.  Each of us is called to exercise care, over ourselves to begins with and over the community, the flock to which we belong!