Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19
It is easy to secure the home from a thief trying to break in, but there is no security from the thief within.
In other words, the greatest enemy is not the enemy out there, but rather the enemy within.
Many wars are lost and defences are broken not because the enemy is stronger and faster, but because of the traitors within.
St. Paul began the address to the elders of the church of Ephesus with these opening words: Be on your guard for yourselves.
He would go on to say that even from their own ranks, there will be men coming forward to lead others astray and induce the disciples to follow them.
Even in the gospel, we hear of Jesus mentioning about a traitor when He said: I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost.
The fact and the reality is that anyone can become a traitor and a thief within. Anyone can become the enemy within.
The evil one is prowling round looking for someone to be tricked into being that traitor, thief and enemy.
Let us pray that the Lord will deliver us from evil and not to fall into the trap of the devil.
May we always follow Jesus our Good Shepherd and listen to His voice so that we won't go astray.