Pride destroys even the most fruitful of fruits – faith.

Seventh Wednesday of Eastertide – Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19

The Gospel for this day . . . No, there is no point in sullying the beauty of Jesus’ prayer with clumsy words. I to read though. Instead, I refer to the first reading, where Paul says farewell to the elders of the Church in Ephesus. And he says, among other things:

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.

Amazing: he’s saying this to the elders. That some of them will become like devouring wolves toward the sheep.

How many times have I heard stories like this in recent years? I’m not talking about those who are called scandal-mongers. I am talking about teachers preaching perverse teachings. Because? Because they crave applause, recognition, celebrity . . .

Yet Christ does not expect us to be original, only faithful.