The True Shepherd a Reflection

The True #Shepherd: A Reflection on the Guardian of Israel Beloved faithful, greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. Today, as we meditate on the sacred teachings passed down through the prophets and illuminated by the light of the Gospel, let us contemplate the profound mystery of Christ as the true guardian—the Shepherd of Israel and the keeper of our souls. --- The Prophetic Announcement of the True Shepherd The day set before us, called Nolawi—meaning "shepherd" or "guardian"—brings to our remembrance the ancient prophecies heralding the coming of the Son of God as the faithful Shepherd. Long before the Incarnation, the prophets lamented the condition of Israel, likening themselves and the people to sheep scattered without a shepherd. The words of the prophets echo through the corridors of time, crying out, “Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock, You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!” (Psalm 80:1). This plea resounded with yearning for the coming of the One who would gather the lost, lead them to safety, and restore their communion with God. And thus, the Sabbath we observe commemorates the fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to the birth of Christ. It marks the fulfillment of God’s promises and the dawning of a new covenant. In Christ, the shadow of the old covenant gives way to the brilliance of the eternal Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. --- The Good Shepherd Revealed When the time was fulfilled, our Lord Jesus Christ stood among His people and declared, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). With these words, He revealed the depth of His love—a love so profound that it embraced the Cross to redeem the lost. He further testified, “I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me, just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15). This intimate relationship between the Shepherd and His flock is the foundation of our faith. It is a bond not built upon compulsion but upon knowledge, trust, and sacrificial love. David, the prophet and king, anticipated this divine care when he sang, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:1-2). Through these words, David foreshadowed the rest and nourishment found only in the embrace of Christ, the Shepherd of our souls. --- Returning to the Shepherd of Our Souls Beloved, as sheep prone to wander, we must heed the voice of the Good Shepherd calling us back into His fold. Have we not strayed? Have we not allowed our love to grow cold? Let us pray: “Lord, send Your light and truth to guide us back to You. Restore our frozen love, and lead us in paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.” Repentance is the key that opens the gate to the pasture of divine mercy. Our Shepherd waits with open arms to receive the lost, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to restore the weary. Let us not delay in returning to Him, for He desires none to be lost, but all to be saved. --- The Guardian Against Wolves The Good Shepherd does not leave His flock defenseless. He stands as the vigilant protector, guarding against the wolves who seek to scatter and devour the sheep. Christ Himself warned us: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). These false shepherds do not lay down their lives for the sheep but exploit them for selfish gain. Therefore, we must discern the true shepherds from the impostors by their fruits. A good shepherd nourishes the flock, tends to their wounds, and leads them in truth. He does not abandon them in times of danger but stands firm, even at great personal cost. The Feast of the #Nativity: A Reflection on the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ Beloved Faithful, Grace and peace to you who follow the teachings of the Holy Church. Let us reflect on the divine mystery of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, a day of unparalleled joy and spiritual renewal. --- God’s Nature and the Prophetic Foretelling The Most High God, the Creator of all, is a God of mercy and love. He compassionate and seeks the salvation of humanity. For centuries, the holy prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, counting the days and prophesying that He would be born of a pure Virgin. And so it was that the angel Gabriel, the bearer of good news, came to the Holy Virgin Mary and announced that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. When the fullness of time had come—5500 years after Adam’s fall—the Word became flesh, and our Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea. --- The Birth of Christ: The Dawn of Hope With the Nativity of Christ, the curse that bound humanity is broken. The sorrow and despair of sin are wiped away, and in their place, unity, compassion, peace, and love flourish. This day is not just the birth of a child but the manifestation of divine light dispelling the darkness of the world. The term “birth” means to emerge from the womb into the light, to be seen and made present. In theological terms, it signifies the revelation of God in the flesh. Before His birth, only a few saints—those favored by God—knew of His presence in the Virgin’s womb. But after His birth, He was revealed to all nations, both Jew and Gentile, as a man—humble in stature yet divine in essence. --- Divine Revelation in the Flesh Before the Incarnation, God was revealed in awe-inspiring forms, such as the burning bush that appeared to Moses. The fire burned but did not consume the bush, signifying God’s presence and holiness. Likewise, in the New Testament, God took flesh in the womb of the Holy Virgin without consuming or altering her purity. The Virgin Mary is the new bush, lush and green with life, bearing within her the divine flame of God’s presence. Just as Moses removed his sandals in reverence at the burning bush, so too must we approach the mystery of the Incarnation with awe and humility. Saint Elizabeth, upon hearing the voice of the Virgin Mary, felt her own child, John the Baptist, leap in her womb with joy, recognizing the divine presence. Elizabeth cried out in reverence, “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Saint Joseph, too, guarded and served the Virgin with holy fear and respect. --- A Humble Beginning for a Majestic Purpose The Lord of glory did not come in splendor or power but in humility and poverty, born in a lowly manger. This humility was meant to touch the hearts of fallen humanity, to lift up the broken and revive the downtrodden. By taking on flesh, He gave us His Spirit. By bearing our shame and death, He bestowed upon us life and glory. In doing so, He made us a new creation. This mystery was foreshadowed in Proverbs 8:22, which says, “The Lord created me as the first of His works,” referring to the wisdom of God manifest in the flesh. --- The Shepherds: Witnesses to the Miracle The first to receive the divine announcement of Christ’s birth were humble shepherds tending their flocks by night. An angel appeared to them, proclaiming: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12) Immediately, the heavens opened, and a multitude of angels sang praises: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."