Acts 20
In recent years, the Church has suffered many scandals. And most of these scandals were caused by the leaders of the Church. Many churchmen failed in what they professed. People, especially the faithful, became disappointed and confused. In many cases, those churchmen failed out of their weakness of heart and flesh. But some of them even enjoyed their sinful life and wanted to persist in it. They may be called hypocrites. Whether they are simply sinful men or pernicious hypocrites, usually they don’t have the boldness to preach their sins. Of course, they try to hide them.
Are these the ones St Paul warns about in today’s reading? Jesus himself warned of those “wolves.” I think these wolves are quite different from sinners and hypocrites. Sinners and even evil hypocrites acknowledge the truth. They teach the truth, but they just don’t live it. On the other hand, those wolves twist the truth and inseminate false ideas to people. They lead people eventually into what God forbids. They promote evil things openly. Of course, they develop all kinds of arguments to rationalize these evils. And they appeal to people’s emotions by wrapping these evils with very pleasant images and tastes. Ultimately, they make people forget God and worship themselves.
When sinners and hypocrites are exposed, they are ashamed and criticized. People are disgusted and turn away from them. In contrast, successful wolves are praised with respect and honour. Often, they are called pioneers and trailblazers. People think they are heralds of a new era and bring new enlightenment to humanity. Look at how sinful lifestyles and practices have become normalized in Western societies. I don’t think it’s because there were many sinners and hypocrites were exposed and caught. But it’s because there have been many intellectuals and leaders in the society and the Church, who spread these evil seeds under the names of liberation and modernization – and it’s been now over a few centuries already. But we see more dramatic changes in recent decades as the fruit of their incessant efforts.
As St Paul says today in the reading, my brothers and sisters, be on your guard for yourselves. The devil never sleeps. And his wolves are out here with us. We try to forgive sinners and hypocrites, but we also have to be able to discern false teachers and their seeds.
