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On the Fourth Sunday of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Revelation (12;1-17) entitled "The sign of the woman". Our treasure, which follows is from a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope.
Saint Gregory was born at Rome around the year 540 is certainly one of the most notable figures in Ecclesiastical History. He rose through various public offices to the prefecture which he renounced. He entered the monastic life and, once ordained deacon, he discharged the duties of the legate at Constantinople. On September 3, 590 he was elevated to the Chair of Saint Peter and he proved to be a true shepherd by carrying out his office, helping the poor, spreading and strengthening the faith. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects.
Today's treasure, "Christ the Good Shepherd", from a sermon by Saint Gregory, is a call to pastors—and by extension all Christian leaders—to imitate Jesus Christ in genuine, self-sacrificial care for others. Gregory contrasts true shepherds with "hirelings": the true shepherd knows his flock, loves them personally, protects them from spiritual danger, and is willing to lay down his life for them, while the hireling serves only for personal gain and abandons the flock when trials come.
His sermon insists that authentic Christian leadership is measured by love expressed in sacrifice: to be a shepherd after Christ's heart is to live not for oneself, but for the salvation of others.
The primary teaching of today's first reading from the Book of Revelation (12:1–17) is that God's saving plan unfolds amid intense spiritual conflict, but His victory is assured. The vision of the "woman clothed with the sun" symbolizes God's people (often understood as Israel fulfilled in the Church, and also seen in a Marian sense), who bring forth the Messiah. The dragon represents Satan, who opposes Christ and seeks to destroy both Him and His followers. Though the dragon is powerful and continues to wage war against the faithful, he is ultimately defeated by God's intervention. The passage emphasizes that believers will face persecution, but they are protected by God and called to persevere in faith and obedience. The central message is one of hope: despite ongoing spiritual battle, God's purposes prevail, and those who remain faithful share in Christ's victory.
