7th Week of Easter 2026 - Wednesday (School Mass) - There will be wolves

 

We are arriving rapidly at the end of the school year, and it will be time for some of us to say farewell, for a time.

In our scripture readings today, both St. Paul and Jesus are saying goodbye.

In the first reading, St. Paul was saying goodbye to the Christians of Ephesus. He had come to them as a preacher of the word and stayed with them for three years, seeking to build them up to be good, strong, effective, and faithful Christians.

Before leaving them, he gave the Christians of Ephesus a warning. He says, after I leave, “savage wolves will come upon you” so be prepared. Now, he’s not actually talking about actual, physical wolves. He’s talking about a spiritual threat—those who would come and attack the flock of Christ. He’s talking about the bad influences of the world, and false teachers who would cause division in the Church, people who preach their own opinions instead of the truth of Christ handed on by the Apostles. So before his inevitable departure, Paul said, be on your guard, they’re coming.

Dear ones, as you prepare for summer vacation, of course, I hope you have a lot of fun and relaxation this summer. You’ve worked hard this school year, most of you. But, as st. paul said to the Christians of ephesus, I say to you, be on your guard. There are wolves out there.

Wolves that want to drag you away from Jesus in your thoughts, in your words, in your actions. Wolves that don’t want you to pray, wolves that don’t want you to go to church, wolves that want to cause you to forget all the good things you learned this year. Wolves that will propose corrupt images and ideas on the internet.

Be on your guard. Make sure your faith in Jesus is as strong as it possibly can be.

In the Gospel, as Jesus gives his farewell speech to his apostles, he prays to his Father, that his disciples be protected from the Evil One and that they be consecrated in the Truth. The Truth of Jesus, his teachings are protection against evil, protection against the wolves. Every time you studied your religion lessons this year, that was an opportunity to take up protection against those wolves, against the evil one. So as you face the wolves of summer, hold fast to the truth you have received. Read your bible this summer—see if you can read through the four Gospels. I would LOVE if you came back to school next fall and told me that you read the Gospels. Pray the Rosary, this summer. I would love if you came back to school next fall and told me you prayed the rosary, even just a few times.

This is the last school mass for our 8^th graders. You especially, are going to face some pretty savage wolves in high school. Our prayers go with you. You always have a spiritual home here, to recouperate from the battles. Don’t be a stranger.

And may each of us know the loving protection of Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Trusting in the Lord Jesus, who prays for his disciples and protects them in the truth, let us bring our needs before our heavenly Father.

For Holy Father Pope Leo, all bishops, priests, deacons, teachers, and all who hand on the faith: that they may preach Christ with courage and help God’s people remain strong against the spiritual dangers of the world, let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish school community: that as the school year draws to a close, students, teachers, and families may give thanks for the blessings of this year and continue to grow in wisdom, faith, and virtue, let us pray to the Lord.

For all students during the summer months: that they may be kept safe in body and soul, remain faithful in prayer and not be drawn away from Jesus by bad influences, let us pray to the Lord.

For our 8th grade students, as they prepare to move on to high school:
that the Lord may strengthen them, protect them from the evil one, and help them remain firm in the truth they have received.

For our families: that homes may be places of prayer, peace, faith, hope, and love.

For the sick, the suffering, and for all the faithful departed: that the Lord may bring healing to those in need and eternal joy to those who have died, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers we offer you today, and keep us always close to you Christ your Son. This we ask through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.