Wednesday of the 7th Week of Eastertide
First Reading — Acts 20:28–38
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the church of Ephesus:
‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you.
‘And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified.
‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’
When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 67(68):29–30,33–36
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, show forth your might,
your might, O God, which you have shown for us.
For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem
may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord
who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens.
He thunders his voice, his mighty voice.
Come, acknowledge the power of God.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies.
God is to be feared in his holy place.
He is the Lord, Israel’s God.
He gives strength and power to his people.
Blessed be God!
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation — cf. John 17:17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
make us holy in the truth.
Alleluia!
Gospel — John 17:11–19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
keep those you have given me true to your name,
so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,
I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them
and not one is lost
except the one who chose to be lost,
and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you
and while still in the world I say these things
to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them,
and the world hated them,
because they belong to the world
no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world,
but to protect 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,
I have sent them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate myself
so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
Reflection
Today’s readings speak deeply about truth, spiritual leadership, and remaining faithful in a world that often resists God. Both Paul and Jesus show the heart of a shepherd who loves God’s people enough to protect, guide, and pray for them.
In Acts, Paul gives an emotional farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He knows suffering and imprisonment await him, yet his greatest concern is not for himself but for the Church. Paul warns the leaders that “fierce wolves” will come and distort the truth. Even from within the community there will be people who attempt to lead believers away from Christ.
This warning remains painfully relevant today. The Church continues to face confusion, compromise, false teaching, and pressure to reshape truth according to culture. Paul reminds believers that spiritual leadership is not about popularity or comfort. Leaders are entrusted with the care of souls purchased by the blood of Christ himself. CCC 1551 teaches that Church leadership must always remain a service rooted in Christ’s example of sacrifice and love.
Paul also reflects on his own ministry. He worked humbly, supported himself, and cared for the weak. He did not use the Gospel for personal gain. One of the most memorable lines in today’s reading comes from the words of Jesus quoted by Paul: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.” Christian life reaches fulfilment not through selfishness, but through self-giving love.
The scene ends with tears, embraces, and prayer. Paul’s ministry was not cold administration or distant authority. It was deeply personal and sacrificial. He loved the people entrusted to him.
The Gospel continues Jesus’ great prayer before his Passion. Christ prays to the Father for his disciples, asking that they remain united and protected from evil. Jesus does not ask for believers to be removed from the world. Instead, he asks that they remain faithful within it.
This is one of the great tensions of Christian life. Believers live in the world while belonging ultimately to God. Jesus says his followers “do not belong to the world” because their identity comes from the Father. Christians are therefore called to resist becoming shaped by whatever the world promotes when it opposes God’s truth.
Jesus also prays, “Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.” In an age of confusion and shifting opinions, Christ reminds the Church that truth is not invented by culture or personal preference. Truth is rooted in God himself. CCC 2466 teaches that in Jesus Christ the fullness of truth has been revealed.
Unity is another major theme in today’s Gospel. Jesus desires his disciples to be one as he and the Father are one. Christian unity is not built upon ignoring truth, but upon being united within God’s truth and love.
As Eastertide approaches Pentecost, the Church is reminded that remaining faithful requires grace, courage, discernment, and prayer. The Holy Spirit strengthens believers to remain holy and steadfast even in difficult times.
One line to carry today:
God’s truth must shape our lives more than the world around us.
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