Why does Jesus describe His followers as Lambs among Wolves? (Luke 10 : 3 ). He describes his followers in this way because they must live in a predatory world like innocent lambs among voracious wolves. Jesus’s message of love must be lived by his followers in a world that will turn against them at the flip of a coin because it is compromised by sin.

Anyone familiar with sheep will understand the danger of wolves. Lambs simply have no defense alone against wolves. Thus, lambs are a brilliant metaphor for the followers of the Good Shepherd who will protect them. He knows them and they listen to His voice.

In Shakespeare’s play, All’s Well that Ends Well, he wrote: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no one.” This advice is Christian to the core. He didn’t recommend trusting all your acquaintances because he knew that few within your circle are truly to be trusted. But he did say, love all and do wrong to no one, even the untrustworthy.

The gospel offers the same advice: “Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10 : 6). Christians and, indeed all people of good will, are expected to forgive “seventy-seven times” or unconditionally, but forgiveness is not the same as trust. It makes sense not to trust a manipulative individual, but you must love the individual and not wrong him or her in any way. Jesus gave Himself freely to anyone who needed to know the love of God and neighbor. But He was shrewd with manipulative people who tried to entrap him and sway him from His course.

Learn from Him.

We are living in a dangerous world. We now have more things to tempt us, to trip us up than ever before. This makes it easier to lose our sense of balance, to fall prey to ” fake news,” and the false values of the world. I’m sure you’re familiar with the gospel counsel to: “not belong to the world” ( John 15 : 19 ), to be in the world but not of it. This radical Christian message complements today’s message to be Lambs among Wolves. The world is full of wolves, crafty people who want to take advantage of you, trip you up, and ensnare you by their selfish designs. You can work with them or through them, but you don’t have to go along with them or be part of their world.

If you are going to thrive in the real world in which you live, you must learn to avoid the dangers of the world and be conformed to the values of the gospel.

But to do that you must be as innocent as a lamb and as cunning as a wolf.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy