Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19
It is said that honesty is an expensive thing, so don't expect it from cheap people.
So in order to trust somebody, we may have to let our guard down, to whatever extent.
It is like wearing armour. We only take off the armour when we are with people that we trust.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul urged the elders of the church of Ephesus with these words:
Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.
St. Paul was telling the elders of the church that they themselves need to guard themselves first before they can guard the flock that is entrusted to them.
St. Paul mentioned about the Holy Spirit, and that was where he was leading them towards.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, and the Holy Spirit defends and protects us.
Let us continue to pray to the Holy Spirit that He will be our armour against evil and that He will also protect us from falling into the snares of the devil.