and stir up his zeal to save the few members of his flock who remain faithful.
The pastor of souls is responsible to God for their salvation. He must teach and guide them by word and example, "for the lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth, because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts." [1] He is like a watch man set upon a watch-tower; "if he see the sword coming, and sound not the trumpet and the people look not to themselves, and the sword come, and cut oft a soul from among them; he indeed is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the hand of the watchman. [2]
These words of the prophet are also a warning that no one can make an unworthy pastor an excuse for his sins. He still has the teachings of the Church and the grace of the Sacraments which are always efficacious whether administered by a worthy or an unworthy pastor. Even when the watchman does not give warning the soul that perishes "is taken away in his iniquity."
The pastor who is negligent in the care of his people is exposed to the danger of being snatched away by sudden death without the grace of the Sacraments. Unfortunately, the church of Sardis is in very sad condition, yet it numbers a lew faithful souls who shall be saved. They shall be clothed with the white garments of eternal happiness.
