When the Holy Spirit comes, He will assign us to guard certain people (Acts 20:28). This will result in a deep and personal encounter with these persons. Paul described his guard duty in this way: "Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears" (Acts 20:31).

Guarding people is an all-day job, which may last for years. It is done person-to-person and is so involving that we may break down into tears. To guard people properly, we must be sensitized by the Spirit. Satan has anesthetized many of God's people. Babies in the womb are murdered. Children are confused and perverted by the anti-Christian propaganda of TV. The heresy of secularism has infiltrated and in some places dominated the Church. Yet many Christians don't realize we are in a war against the devil, unnecessarily taking a beating.

When the Holy Spirit has brought us out of our spiritual coma, then He gives us love for those He has assigned us to guard. Otherwise we would not go through the tears and trials of guarding people who often don't want to be guarded. Jesus is praying right now: "O Father Most Holy, protect them...I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to guard them from the evil one" (Jn 17:11, 15).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006

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