May 11: Keep Watch Over the Flock

Claes Brouwer: St. Paul Boarding a Ship for Jerusalem;
Taking Leave of the Elders of Ephesus
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague, 1430

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading I: Acts 20:28-38

“Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son (NRSV, Acts 20:28).”

Father, the life that you share with us, you challenge us through the Word to share with one another, not lording it over one another, but as servants one to other, ready to give of our very selves, as did Jesus.

Father, some have been set aside as elders, others as deacons and bishops, to shepherd the flock, but all are equally called to minister, opening the minds of our sisters and brothers to understand the one Word revealed to all, forgiving one another our sins, and healing our injuries and pains through love.

All this we are called to do, every one of us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.