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.
Saint Paul spoke from experience, and Saint Luke from history, as the one predicted and the other remembered the "savage wolves" that exploit the trust of devout Christians of every age. For the same reason Jesus had urged his disciples to be as innocent as lambs and cunning as serpents.
Many of us think we have some experience of mischief and evil. But, , raised in devout homes and familiar only with fellow churchgoers, we have lived within safe parameters governed by principles of decency and respect. We assumed, for instance, that "everyone wants peace and security" and that common sense among reasonable persons makes agreement easier. Decent people are often like Othello, they cannot imagine the depth of treachery to which an Iago might go.
But there are hidden agendas and greed, lust, and cruelty even among churchgoers. In response to betrayal, some people have supposed they should meet Jesus solely from within the safety of their own homes. They will no longer risk the companionship of other persons since there is always a treasonous Judas or a cowardly Peter among them. They will be spiritual but not religious. Tragically these lost sheep are prey to even worse savagery outside the church. Many have fallen under the influence of conspiracy theories like Qanon, with its religious trappings and diabolical spirit.
Leaving Miletus, Saint Paul prayed that his flock would remain intact and resist the assaults of bad shepherds and cynical wolves in sheep clothing. They must remain together and find their innocent purity continually restored by prayer, fasting, and charitable works. Rather than scattering when wolves attack, they must trust in God, dig into the infinite resource of faith, and stay together.
In our time, cynical political forces would neutralize the Church by luring gullible Christians into opposing camps with friendly words like conservative, liberal, orthodox, and traditional. Their principle weapon is fear, which excites our anxiety.
We must be as innocent as lambs and cunning as serpents. No one should expect to hear the Gospel at a political rally, or to discover it within a party platform. Regardless of the political system, parties are about power. They appeal to the base instincts of voters even as they exploit sacred symbols like freedom, equality, family and father land.
Politics is not genetically wicked and those who aspire to be politicians aspire to an honorable profession. And in a democracy everyone is a politician. But we must heed a higher wisdom and divine guidance as we labor to create a more perfect democracy. Christian churches can thrive when we recognize the political appeal to our baser instincts for security and stability, and aspire to the higher principles of charity towards all and malice towards none. We dare not retreat to a civil but not political crouch.
Like Emmanuel who is always with us, we remain engaged, continually offering our presence, aspirations, and respect for human dignity.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.