Reading 1
Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
Responsorial Psalm R. (33a)
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!”
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Meditation: Acts 20:28-38
“We must help the weak.” (Acts 20:35)
What a tender moment! It is a final farewell from St. Paul, who had not only founded the church at Ephesus but lived among the believers for three years. During that time, “God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.” As a result, “the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily” (Acts 19:11,20).
However, the elders were not crying in admiration of Paul’s accomplishments. Theirs were tears of affection for a brother. And Paul, in turn, was concerned not for the continuation of his ministry but for the survival of “the whole flock … that [God] acquired with his own blood,” and especially “the weak” (Acts 20:28,35).
The church in Ephesus had produced leaders like Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)—quick studies whose keen minds grasped the significance of Paul’s message. Teaching such converts must have been very gratifying for Paul. However, he said nothing here about this aspect of his ministry. His attention seems to be on those at the other end of the spectrum, the humble and lowly who enjoy a special relationship with the Lord.
Every community, every congregation, even every family has its own “weak” members. Through whatever combination of genetics, upbringing, sin, and hard luck, it is unlikely that they will ever be able to take care of themselves adequately. These are the ones Paul singled out for special attention, for he knew the fundamental precept that those who are more graced should care for those who are in need—not take advantage of them or ignore them.
Such a philosophy goes against our human nature. Those who move quickly find it irritating to slow down for those who lag behind. It can be hard for someone with a quick mind to have to explain things to someone who just doesn’t get it. Instead of putting ourselves in their shoes, we tend to imagine them in ours: “If that happened to me, I would surely have handled it better.” But when we do this, we exercise the judgment that belongs to God and fail to extend his mercy—a mercy that belongs to the strong and weak alike.
“Jesus, pour out special grace on the poor and needy. Let their cry pierce my heart. Show me how I can be your arms to encourage them and lift them up.”
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