Saint Nicholas

Happy Feast day of Saint Nicholas. I always remember from the seminary that on the night before December 6 we would put a shoe outside the door and when we awoke the next morning fruit and candy would have been placed in it. A sign of the generosity of Saint Nicholas who was very giving of his time, talent and treasure. This is a beautiful example for all of us to follow. The gospel for today, Matthew 18:12-14 is a wonderful example of what it means to be a shepherd. The shepherd will leave the ninety nine sheep and go in search of the stray. We can imagine that Saint Nicholas would do the same thing. Just like the entrance antiphon states, "I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will appoint a shepherd to pasture them, and I, the Lord, will be their God" (Ez 34:11, 23-24). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he calls shepherds to pasture the sheep and look after them. We thank God for the blessing of Saint Nicholas and for the example that he provided. We pray that during this time we can pattern our lives after Saint Nicholas so we can be loving and generous disciples and stewards of the Lord. Saint Nicholas, pray for us!!!