Today we celebrate the last Sunday of the year 2010. The first Sunday after Christmas in Polish National Catholic Church we celebrate the Solemnity of Humble Shepherds. In our liturgy for this Sunday we remember those who visited first newborn child in Bethlehem.
My Dear brothers and sisters
Many generations had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah, but only a few humble shepherds were worthy to be told of the great event that was taking place.
The angel of the Lord appeared to a few humble shepherds and the glory of God shone above them. They were terrified, but the angel said to them, â€do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
This was the beginning of the good news of Jesus’ coming into the world; the shepherds went to the manger and presented their respect worshipping the newborn savior of the world.
They left praising God for the great fortune of humanity and they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.
Brothers and sisters, we have to do the same! We have to be like shepherds the first witnesses of Incarnation. No matter what you do in life — whether you are a student, a worker, a housewife, a parent, or retire — your job is to speak about Jesus and to spread the word concerning him. And it is your job to do that all the time. Not just when you are in church, but also outside, on the job, at home, everywhere you are. Parents and grandparents you are the first spiritual teachers for your children and grandchildren about Jesus — and not just by bringing kids to baptism and to Sunday school, but also by reading them, Bible stories and teaching about Jesus at home. It’s our job to spread word of Jesus — and not just to those who are already Christians, but also to those who live without Jesus.
We have to take example from the shepherds. St. Luke in the Gospel said about them: They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Brothers and sisters like the shepherds we have to find Jesus in our lives and tell everybody about Him. Tell that He is our salvation and He came to this world to save and sanctify all the people.
Our mission is testifying about good news that in the Bethlehem a Savior, our Messiah and Lord was born.