Please read this passage before reading this homily.
In Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18:58-20:38), Paul revisited the many places where he had preached the gospel. He is on his way to Jerusalem, and he is eager to get there. He felt the need to talk to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus, so he called them to meet with him at Miletus, a seaport about 40 miles from Ephesus.
This is Paul’s only speech given to a Christian audience. Paul knew that the Holy Spirit is the One who had appointed the presbyters (the word is Greek for elders and gives us the English word priest) over the Church at Ephesus.
These are the tasks of the leadership of the Church: watchfulness and care for the Church, constancy in admonishing, faithfulness to the word, not being a financial burden with a spirit of poverty.
The final scene is a tender farewell with tears and hugs as they say their last goodbyes. A procession escorts Paul to his ship.
Paul’s destination is Jerusalem and eventually Rome. His arrival in Rome will be the work of the Holy Spirit, even though he will go to Rome as a prisoner.