Acts 20:28-38

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are so generous with your blessings. Bless my work today and make it bear fruit for your Kingdom. Inspire me to preach your Gospel through my words and actions.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Guarding against False Doctrine: In the First Reading, we hear Paul reflect on his mission. He is giving a farewell address to the presbyters (elders) of the church of Ephesus. Paul has been faithful to his priestly mission and was able to invite the local presbyters to imitate him. The elders have been made guardians or overseers (episkopoi) of the people of God. One of the ways they guard the flock as shepherds is by watching out for false doctrine. Paul told the presbyters to be on the watch for false teachers, both those outside the Church and those within. “True teachers lead people to fidelity to Jesus’ person and teaching, whereas false teachers reshape the message to enhance their own influence, undermining faith and unity” (Kurz, Acts of the Apostles, 314). 

2. The Power of the Gospel: Just as Jesus entrusted the disciples to God’s care in his Last Supper discourse, so does Paul commend the leaders of the Church of Ephesus to God and to the word of his grace. Paul recognizes that there was a dynamic power in the Gospel to build up the Christian community as the house of God. He recalled that the word of God’s grace can also give them the inheritance that God has planned for them. In the Old Testament, the inheritance of God’s people was the promised land of Canaan; now, in Christ, our inheritance is eternal life. “This inheritance will be for all who are consecrated, that is, all who are made holy by baptism into Christ” (Kurz, Acts of the Apostles, 315).

3. Productive Labor and Fruitful Apostolate: The priestly elders of the Church need to be alert and attend to the Word of God, which is able to build up the Church as the House of God (Acts 20:31-32). The elders need to cooperate with God’s grace to build up the household of faith. Paul recalled how he worked as a tent-maker or textile worker to support himself and his apostolate. This enabled him to reach the poor and follow the teaching of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). This is a motivation for productive labor. “Through such labor, the disciple of Christ endeavors to make himself available for apostolate, becoming a benefactor to others rather than dependent on another’s aid. He may thereby attain a way of life encompassing the unity of nature and grace from which apostolate flows” (Pimentel, Envoy of the Messiah, 48). 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd of your Church, make me attentive to the flock you have entrusted to me. May I be faithful in proclaiming your Word with courage and love. Keep me watchful against all that draws hearts away from you, and teach me to serve with generosity, seeking not earthly gain but the joy of giving myself for others.

Living the Word of God: How am I balancing my work and my apostolate? Am I asking God to bless my labors with his grace? Am I motivated in my work to support my family and the Church’s mission? What can I do better?