Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab; John 17:11b-19
Summary
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost (Jn 17:12).
In this day and age words blend together. I read somewhere that definitions of words are always in a continuous shift from one meaning to another. The shift is usually slight and incremental but over time the effects can be that the words no longer hold to their proper (or formal) meaning but blended together into a near meaningless stewpot of indistinction.
I am really attentive to this question as I am not very good at keeping the crisp meanings as a practice but I do maintain them as a discipline. So, to protect and guard. These are complementary actions. These are both necessary.
To Protect is to have a continuous diligence in maintaining bodily integrity of the subject. For a human this would include a healthy diet and providing wet weather gear as examples.
To Guard is to be prepared to actively repel, deflect or destroy an agent’s action to attempt to harm the subject.
In the spiritual sense of things, the words of Saint Paul’s Farewell speech bring another dimension of understanding.
The Word is to Protect you. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated (Acts 20:32). And to guard you (by the holy Spirit), Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood (Acts 20:28).
Reflection
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35). We are all weak. Everyone of us. Each of us needs to be protected and guarded. First by the Lord and then by each other. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world (Jn 17:18).
We protect that they may have Joy in Truth. We guard them from that which would harm their innocence.
Personal Reflection
Friends protect and guard each other. Not in an overbearing way but in the nuanced way that does not interfere with their dignity, autonomy, integrity a/k/a self-directedness. It takes wisdom and practice to do it well. Sometimes we fail to get it right. But when directed toward joy and divine presence it is more correct than not.
We must help the weak. Perhaps best understood as to defend people when they are most vulnerable. Since I often write on social justice issues, I must pause to note the wickedness of our immigration policy and deportation madness. I’ll stop there.
On the Trail, I hike with listening ears. Ninety-nine percent of my ministry is listening (silently praying in synch with the dialog – praying to stay open, praying for healing the speaker) and being open to the voice of another. Trusting each other in truth. Crying together. Finding the protection and the guardianship we are given to share.
To borrow a phrase from another blogger: “Tears are words that need to be written.” Paulo Coelho, modified here to be “Tears are words that need to be spoken.” See: https://anjaliutters.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/me-inside-the-word/
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry