Homily, June 4, 2025, Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (protect)

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“When I was with them, I protected them in your name that you gave me.”

Today’s Gospel continues the reading from John chapter 17. It details Jesus’ beautiful and loving prayer for his disciples as He is about to be separated from them physically for a long time. For three years, Jesus has been with them daily, teaching them, showing them the right way and protecting them from the evil one. He gave His life totally to them, in His living and dying.

In the first reading, we see a similar moment with Paul. After three years of serving the Church in Ephesus, St. Paul offers his farewell to them with words of advice. His words echo the deep love of Christ and concern for their spiritual well-being as he warns: “I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.”

As a priest, I have experienced the pain of seeing parishioners turn away from the Catholic faith. Some were drawn to the Pentecostal churches or other denominations, and some have abandoned the faith altogether. It is heartbreaking, not because we lose numbers, but because we lose souls. It is sad to see them slide from the fullness of the faith, from the sacraments, the truth and tradition of the Catholic church, to another establishment which offers less treasures or to temporal and fake attractions of the world.

I remember my own parents used to remind my siblings and me, when we left home to study in another state or country: “Attend Mass. Say your daily prayers. And never enter worship places of other religions or non-Catholic churches.” 

They were not being narrow-minded or restrictive, they were being protective, emphasizing that our faith is precious and important, that we should never be distracted or lose it. It was the same for Jesus with his disciples, and Paul with his community. They wanted to protect them.

And today, the threats and worldly tricks are greater and more devious than ever. The “savage wolves” are unsound ideologies, false teachings, spiritual confusion, and the culture of death, all of which target our youth and attract them with the deceitful promise of excitement, fun, satisfaction, even love, only to pull them away from their families, from people who truly care for them and from God.

Jesus prayed fervently for his disciples. Paul prayed with tears for his community. We must do the same for our children and grandchildren, our youth and young people. 

Today, let us lift up our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, the vulnerable in our community, all who are confused and struggling in their faith. Let us pray for ourselves to remain faithful to our Lord, for the grace to help others remain rooted in Christ.

Amen.


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