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2 THE SHEPHERD • DECEMBER 2022 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO In a recent scripture reading, we were re- minded of the lawyer putting to Christ the pointed question “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each time I hear the parable and the sermon that follow, it always reveals the limitations I place upon myself in de ning my neighbors. For years I have heard the “law” but not the calling. is year I read a di erent perspective; one that suggested treating the lesson as a pre- scription instead of a law. At their best, laws tell us what to do and not do, but whether we obey them is still our choosing. We o en bristle at being told what to do, make excuses, or, like the lawyer in the parable, rationalize how the law applies to us. On the other hand, if we treat His teachings as a prescription of- fered to heal us perhaps we will take it like medicine. Ultimately, Christ is o ering us a way to salvation. Like a doctor, Christ is pre- scribing means to heal us. He is o ering us an opportunity to walk in His Way. If we are truly in communion with Him, He will give us the strength to love all those we encounter and show them mercy. One of my memorable moments in our com- munity was at a Pascha Picnic years ago when a member of the congregation approached me and asked “What’s your story?” From an initial uncomfortable moment, a door was opened and over time I came to know her and her story. I think the lesson is that we all have a story and in sharing our stories we can nd understanding and in understand- ing we can nd compassion or empathy and through those we can nd love. We are about to embark on the greatest sto- ry, from His birth, to His sacri ce, to His resurrection. As we walk with Him, I pray He will help us recognize in ourselves the innate strength to convey His mercy to all our neighbors by loving them as we love our- selves. I hope you will join us on December 12th as we celebrate the feast day of Saint Spyridon. Many Blessings, Jim Gilpin Parish Council President FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT We will take a break from our weekly meet- ings starting Dec.14 through January 4, and we will resume our study of Hebrews with Chapter 9 on Jan. 11. Each chapter of this epistle continues to fo- cus on two particular topics/ themes – the reality of Christ as the Son of God and our Savior, and the importance of not backslid- ing in faith. e number one most important theme that St. Paul is trying to make is that Christ is indeed the ful llment of the Law and the Prophets as was pre gured in the books of Moses and foretold in the Prophets and Psalms. He is the High Priest who broke down the inner veil – that is the separation between man and God and is Superior in ev- ery way. rough the tearing of the veil, He has shown us the way to heal and reestablish our relationship with God. As Son of God, He is Lord of all creation with the Father and through His Incarnation and His sacri- ce and death on the Cross, He has assumed our full humanity. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weak- nesses, but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15) e footnotes in our Orthodox Study Bible put it this way: “He is the pioneering captain of the narrow path to God in His su ering.” He teaches us the Way. e second key point that St. Paul makes in every chapter is a warning about falling away from this right belief and faith in Christ. He tells his audience to beware of faithlessness, negligence, immaturity, and apostacy – fall- ing away from the faith into which they were baptized and falling back into their old be- liefs and traditions. is warning not only is for the audience of Paul’s time but for each of us as well who read the Scriptures now and must apply what we hear to our own behav- iors and spiritual lives. We too are warned to repent of laziness, exercise our spiritual sense, try diligently to do good in loving ser- vice to others, and rmly believe in Christ Who always provides us access to the living God. + Wishing everyone all God’s blessings for a most Holy Nativity and eophany season lled with the light of our Incarnate Lord’s abundant love and peace! + e Women of the Word Bible Study Group WOMEN WORD OF THE Saint Spyridon Altar Boys Retreat 2022 May God bless these wonderful young men, always! ALTAR BOYS