Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Readings: Acts 20:28-38, Ps. 68:29-30,33-36, John 17:11-19
“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30)
Today’s readings are prophetic and instructive. Paul looked into the future while addressing the elders (pastors) at Ephesus concerning fake pastors whom he described as ‘fierce wolves.’ In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus also saw the future when He spoke of the world’s hatred against His disciples. Today, this hatred no longer comes from external forces but from fierce wolves in sheep's clothing operating from within the church. How do we identify these wolves? How can we survive as sheep amid these wolves?
1. By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them:
Until they start yielding fruits, it is difficult to tell the difference. Jesus explains this with the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. The farmer (Jesus) sowed good seeds (good pastors) in his field (the church). At night, the enemy (the devil) sowed bad seeds (fake pastors) in the same field. When the servants saw the weeds springing along with the wheat, they wanted to uproot them, but the master warned that by so doing, they could also pull out the wheat. This is what is happening today. When one fake pastor is identified, there is always an irresistible urge to generalise; that is, consider all pastors the same. We unconsciously pull out both weeds and wheat. This is what the devil wants – to make us believe that anything church is a scam or that religion is irrational. As St. Paul says, “Be alert.” Do not confuse the wheat with the weed. They are not all the same.
2. How Do We Identify Fake Pastors?
In today’s First Reading, St. Paul mentions some characteristics:
(I). Preaching of Falsehood. St. Paul says they speak “perverse things to draw away the disciples after them.” Fake pastors become experts in telling people what they want to hear rather than the truth. (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3-4). After meeting with Jesus, the Samaritan Woman told people: “Come and see a man who told me everything about my life.” (John 4:39). Fake pastors do the same, but they get their information from their spies, not the Holy Spirit. Flee from anyone preaching the gospel of prosperity; God is not a money doubler, and His blessings are not for sale to the highest bidders. You will eat by the labour of your hands, not by the size of your donation. Prosperity preaching only prospers the preacher.
(II). Feeding On The Flock Rather Than Feeding The Flock. St. Paul said: “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel… these hands ministered to my necessities, and those with me.” Fake pastors thrive on threatening their members to give, but they never give anything to their congregation. It is one thing to donate in church because you feel God has blessed you, but when you donate for fear of your business collapsing or something bad happening, you are a victim of spiritual terrorism. Run. Fake pastors are very good at quoting scriptural passages out of context. For instance, St. Paul says in today’s first reading that it is more blessed to give than to receive, but he was not talking about members giving in church; St. Paul was talking about pastors giving to their flocks. Fake Pastors are not shepherds; they don’t care about the good of their congregation. Often, they ignore the poor and pay special attention to the rich.
3. How Do We Survive As Sheep Amid Fierce Wolves (Fake Pastors)?
In today’s Gospel passage, we find some clues:
(I). Prayer: Having seen the future and the problems we would encounter as His followers, Jesus prayed for the church. By so doing, Jesus teaches us that prayer is the most powerful remedy to challenges. Prayer is not the only remedy, but we must not ignore it no matter what we do. In this prayer, Jesus asked God to keep us safe from the evil one. While we flee from fake pastors, let us pray for our pastors.
(II). Unity: Jesus prayed for oneness among believers. The reason fake pastors thrive is the lack of unity among Christians. The more new churches break out, the more scandals and abuses we see. A lack of unity translates into a lack of regulation. You hear statements such as: “It is my church; who are you to tell me how to run it?”
(III). Truth: Jesus prayed to God to sanctify his followers in the truth. Fake pastors are like the devil; they are very smart deceivers. When you listen to their lies, you stop believing God and start believing them. Many Christians today are ready to do anything their pastor says, but they are not ready to do what God says. Read the Bible for yourself, and you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free (cf. John 8:32).
Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts, and enkindle in us your Sacred Fire. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Wednesday of the 7th week of Eastertide. Bible Study: Acts 20:28-38, Ps. 68:29-30,33-36, John 17:11-19).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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