Thursday, November 14 : Saint Thomas Aquinas

The service of the good shepherd is love. That is why Jesus says that he “lays down his life for his sheep”. For we must know what distinguishes him: the good shepherd watches over the needs of his flock, the bad one seeks his own interest. That is what the prophet said: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who seek only to feed themselves! Should they not feed their flock?” (Ezek 34:2) Those who only use the flock for their own interest are not good shepherds… A good shepherd in the natural sense bears with much for the sake of the flock over which he watches, as Jacob testified: “By day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night.” (Gen 31:40)… But the spiritual flock’s salvation is more important than even the life of the shepherd. That is why, when the flock is in danger, its shepherd must accept to lose his physical life for the salvation of the flock. The Lord said: “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep”, his physical life in the loving exercise of authority… Christ gave us an example: “He laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (1 Jn 3:16).

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team