| First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: | Acts 20:28-38 Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36 John 17:11-19 |
Acts 20:30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
I believe there are many wolves in sheep's clothing today. There are many who rise up in the churches, or even begin their own churches when they want to preach a message or an agenda that isn't being given to their satisfaction. It is a tough situation. How do we know who to listen to? If we assume we know everything and we choose who we listen to based on our own knowledge an opinion, then what room so we have to grow? If we assume we know nothing and we receive everything that anybody has to say then we can be lead astray by these wolves. What are we to do? How do we know who is true?
Jesus has given us several clues if we choose to accept them. A true shepherd doesn't abandon his flock, but is willing to lay down his life for them. How many of today's "pastors" are willing to do that for any of their listeners? Next, we have clear examples of ordination. There needs to be some calling and authentication that we can discern. This gets tricky because who is to say what is a valid ordination? Next we have to have faith. Yes, faith. We have to do what we believe is best given what we know, be open to learn more, and then trust God to lead us to the right path. Don't always assume we are on the right path right now, or that we have arrived. But trust that God will lead is there. He may want to show us some things along the way.
Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust that you will lead me towards your right path, and then give me the faith, strength and discernment to follow your leading. I thank you for the many blessings that you have given us today and pray your mercy and grace for my weakness to follow and obey.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment