In every community, we do come across people who do things for their own interests. Sometimes such people would try to influence the community to listen to them and follow their lead, even though it may not be in the best interests of the community to do so. If members of the community are not careful or discerning enough, they may inadvertently bring suffering or even destruction to the entire community. We have seen throughout history how certain individuals have betrayed or sold off their community just for some title, position, wealth or power and when such people have gotten what they wanted, they would make themselves scarce and let the community face the consequences.
This is why St. Paul in today's reading warns us: "Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. 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. So be on your guard..." As leaders of a Christian community, we need to be discerning and careful not to allow certain individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to the community. This does not mean that we should become paranoid or suspicious of every person or every idea, but we should seek God's help and wisdom to ensure that all in the community are not led astray or duped into following false or wrong teaching. This requires prayer and listening to God's promptings, and sometimes it does not take much to smell a rat or identify a wolf in sheep clothing.
Thus, let us not become complacent in our duties as leaders in our Christian community. Ultimately, we should be discerning enough with the help of God, to determine whether certain persons are being true or are being agents of destruction.
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