LAMBS NOT WOLVES

July 11, 2025 Friday within the 14th week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 10:16-23 Being sent “like sheep among wolves” is not just a spiritual image—it’s a deeply spiritual reality. It stirs our natural fear of harm, rejection, and abandonment. As a priest, I’ve felt the emotional weight of this many times—when I preach something difficult, when I stand alone in a room of opposing opinions, or when I feel misunderstood even by those I serve. There’s a quiet anxiety that comes with knowing you may not be welcomed, even when your intentions are pure. It’s the inner voice that asks, “Will they listen? Or will they turn against me?” Jesus’ words about being “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” resonate with the psychological tension of ministry. It takes tremendous inner strength to remain discerning without becoming suspicious, to protect your heart without building emotional walls. Wisdom without love can harden us. Innocence without wisdom can leave us broken. The mental and emotional toll of navigating criticism, betrayal, and spiritual warfare can lead to burnout if not grounded in grace. It’s a constant inner negotiation between strategy and sincerity, courage and vulnerability. And yet, in that same breath, Jesus offers a healing truth: “The Spirit of your Father will speak through you.” There is profound personal relief in that promise. I don’t always have to have the perfect words or carry the weight alone. I just need to stay grounded, present, and open. It comforts me to know that I am not expected to be emotionally invincible. Even in moments of fear, mental fatigue, or doubt, God’s Spirit sustains and speaks. That’s where true peace begins—not in having all the answers, but in trusting that I am not alone. Blessings Fr. Jhack