NEBAB #26: Final Week before the Nativity: Nolawi- (Good) Shepherd

NEBAB #26

The Orthodox Tewahedo Magazine

FINAL WEEK BEFORE THE NATIVITY: NOLAWI- (GOOD) SHEPHERD

The Spiritual Education Unit

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Archdiocese of the Caribbean and Latin America

3rd Sunday before the Nativity: Nolawi

In this issue:

1. Zemene Nolawi- The Shepherd

2. My Sheep Hear My Voice

3. Faith and works

4. “Ask Abba/Kes”

5. A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam

6. Children’s corner

7.ይበል ግዕዝ

8. Orthodox Q&A

Zemene Nolawi- The Shepherd

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates this week of Shepherd in a series of four feasts during the Advent season: Sibket (Prophetic Announcement), Berhan (Light), Nolawi (Shepherd), and Lidet (Birth). These feasts highlight the prophetic fulfillment of Christ's coming. In this fourth week, we focus on Jesus’ coming as the Good Shepherd who leads, protects, and gives life to His followers, much like sheep who need a shepherd to avoid danger (Isaiah 53:6). This word Shepherd, signifies “watcher or keeper of the herd/sheep” meaning that Jesus is always watching over us and he never left us or abandoned His Flock. This is why the prophet David when he prophesied said the following words “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel” Psalm 80:1. Though Israel waited for 5500 years for the coming of their Savior Jesus Christ, he never left them astray. This is why the Apostle St. Peter wrote “For you were like sheep going astray, but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”. Indeed we were like lost sheep going astray without the knowledge of God who brings life. But now we have returned to the Shepherd of our souls. Jesus Christ himself says “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). This is the love that the Father has for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is not the one to flee, for the good Shepherd cares about the sheep. The celebration of Nolawi reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of salvation, urging believers to rejoice in the coming of the Good Shepherd. Jesus Christ is the True Shepherd, “Nolawi”. “For thou hast come and saved us”

My Sheep Hear My Voice

John 10:24-31

In the Old Testament Canon, though Israel awaited their Savior and Good Shepherd for 5500 years as Ethiopian Orthodox tradition teaches, they still did not recognize him when he became incarnate, even refusing to accept His eternal Godhead. They were so far removed from the source of their life as Saint John explains in his gospel that men preferred darkness rather than turning to the light, being afraid that their evil might be exposed. What a tragedy, to experience, that the light has come into this world but Men loved the darkness. The same applies to us today as Christ continues to shine His light on the world through His Holy Apostolic Church. How often do we reject the light of our Saviour Jesus Christ, preferring the darkness of this world and the attractions of this life. How often do we neglect our prayer time, for secular talk or

Prioritizing daily trappings rather than giving him the quality time that He desires and deserves to spend with us? Being so overcome by the dark, it is easy for men to be unaware of the light. The same rejection of the true Shepherd occurred many times with Israel failing to recognize Jesus as the Son of God even having waited for thousands of years. Just as the Jews were spiritually blind we see in many of these verses in John 10 how they remained deaf to God’s voice. Jesus rebuked those who did not recognize Him, emphasizing that only His Sheep can hear his voice. Meaning it is impossible for those who are not of His Sheepfold to even see, hear or recognize Him as God. Laying out the criteria for being part of the sheepfold he says that it is necessary to follow Him, in order to become His sheep. “You hear Me not, He says, for neither are you sheep, but they who follow, these are of the flock.” This He said that they might strive to become sheep. Those who follow his voice and listen to His words, it is they who become his sheep. In following him Jesus reassures us of security and shelter and even greener pastures - Psalm 23. As He and the Father share the same power, Jesus asserts that no one can snatch His followers away. Even while earthly leaders may fail, being Shepherds themselves, believers find peace in the care of the Good Shepherd, trusting that He will deliver them from any evil. The ultimate act of love is when the Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for His sheep, offering eternal life through death. He is not like the hireling, who is motivated by self interest, abandoning the sheep, but He lays down his life leading all to safety. What blessed assurance is this that God presents us with eternal life and safety in His arms that no one should snatch us away. By following His voice, contemplating His works, and trusting in His protection, believers are assured of security, peace, and eternal life in God's kingdom.

“Give ear, O Sheperd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; you who dwell between the Cherubim, shine forth!” Psalm 80:1

Faith and Works:

For Your Testimonies Are My Meditation

Saint Augustine recalls how Our Lady the Virgin Mary first conceived the Word in her heart, then she conceived the Word in her body. She was able to receive the Word perfectly because she was a perfect receptacle, cleansed by the practice of holy silence and ardent listening.

The silence of Saint Mary was a necessary condition for welcoming the Word being connected to God in her silence. Even at the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in a Manger with a few animals, praising and glorifying in silence. Similarly, for God’s Word to descend into our souls, and to hear his voice, we must imitate the meditative silence of the Blessed Mother of God.

As we approach the culmination of the fast of the prophets, let us practice Holy silence in these ways so that we can hear the voice of Our Shepherd:

1.Silence of speech: practise speaking little with creatures and much with God

2.Silence of the body: practise observing silence in the pace of your life to assist your soul in interior recollection

3. Silence of interior conversations: practise addressing our interior speech to God who dwells within us

4. Silence of the will: practise quieting the anxieties of our hearts through trust in God’s loving providence

5. Silence of the heart: practise calming ill directed zeal, exaggerated ardor and moodiness

Ask Abba/Kes

"How should I Pray?"

Prayer is not simply a request for material things or an empty routine; it is a deep communion with God and an act of worship. It requires focus, sincerity, and a contrite heart, as seen in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14). Prayer involves the mind, heart, soul, and strength, fulfilling the command to love God with everything (Mark 12:30). St Gregory of Nyssa says “Prayer is a heart to heart talk forever active on God’s part, forever slow on ours. Both parties call and both respond; however, the initiative is always God’s”

BIBLE QUIZ!

“My heart is fixed, O God my heart is fixed” (KJV) Who said these words?

A Miracle of the Holy Virgin Maryam

Now there was a certain coenobitic monastery in a land of the nomes of Egypt. Having beheld the watchfulness of the monks there, a certain demon put them to the test by demolishing their oven and filling it with soil. So when the monks were in want of a means to bake their bread, they made supplication to Our Lady Mary, the Holy Twofold Virgin, who performs signs and wonders. Having accepted their supplication, she told them, “The demon that demolished your oven will serve you like a slave for twelve years. Now, do not be sorrowful, for I have prayed to my son for you, that you might rule over this demon by his divine power. But do not rejoice in this, for through the power of my prayers you shall find greater grace than this in heaven. Have you not heard what my son told his disciples in the holy Gospel, saying, ‘If the demons are under your authority, do not rejoice in this, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven?’”

Through the power of Our Lady Mary, the Holy Twofold Virgin, who performs signs and wonders, that demon was made subject to them to fulfill these words of the Gospel. Firstly, they commanded him to quickly clear from their oven the soil with which he himself had filled it. Then they commanded him to grind flour, and he ground it and gave it to them at once, not like a human being, but much more swiftly. Next, they commanded him to chop wood, and he brought it to them, carrying more than two hundred men could carry. When the monks beheld this, they marveled at Our Lady Mary, the Mother of God. They asked the demon, “How were you able to carry so much?” But the demon answered them, saying, “If it is not enough for you, command me to add to it whatever your hearts desire.” Then the people of that land said to one another, “We were put to the test by this demon in the past and were sad; but now we are glad because, since Our Lady Mary gave us this demon to serve us like a slave, we have rested from all our labor.”

Moreover, they commanded the demon to bring them a fish, and he obeyed and brought them a whale. Now, on that whale there was a great ship, filled with sailors and merchants with countless treasure chests on board. The ocean from which it was taken was as vast as a year-long journey. He brought them the whale and the ship straight away, along with all on the ship. When the monks saw this, they were dumfounded, and they said to him, “With what guile have you done this deed?!” He answered, “I have brought it to you that you might purchase whatever you desire. You commanded me but one thing concerning a fish, but I have done many things for you, which you did not command me, so that you might let me go to my companions.” The monks responded, “We shall not let you go until the twelve years which Our Lady Mary commanded you are fulfilled.” Then to the seamen they said, “Why have you obeyed someone who is not your shipmaster, one whom you did not know before?” “Our minds were not aware of this,” the seamen told them. “He snatched away our thoughts and brought us to you at once.”

Then the monks responded, saying, “It is not by his own power that he has done this; rather, it is by the power of Our Lady Mary that you have come to us. Do not marvel at this demon; marvel, rather, at Mary, the queen of the highest heaven, who has given us this demon that he may serve us. At first, he put us to the test by demolishing our oven, but now he does everything we desire by the power of Our Lady Mary.” When those pagans heard this, they said, “Your faith is greater than ours. Baptize us that we may become Christians.” So the monks taught them about faith in the Holy Trinity and the one baptism for remission of sins, and they baptized them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Then they gave all their treasure to the church of Our Lady Mary.

Their boat was turned into doors and windows for the monastery, and it was used for every needful work. The metal was turned into nails and keys and other means of assisting work. The ship’s mast was turned into beams. All the men became monks in that monastery and were ordained clergymen. Their monastic life and clerical ministry pleased the monastery. Twelve years later, the demon completed his servitude and rejoined his companions. When the community of that coenobitic monastery recalled this miracle, they lauded it. As for the men on the boat who had become Christians, they increased their love for Our Lady Mary and celebrated her feast days. To those who heard of it, this was a cause of wonder, and they venerated her with great thanksgiving. Likewise, we, the children of this church, venerate her with glorification and honor that she might keep us from the hands of strange enemies. May her prayers and intercession be like a rampart and surround us like a favorable buckler, to the ages of ages. Amen. May her prayers and blessings be with us to the ages of ages. Amen.

O Holy Virgin Maryam, pray for us!

LIJOCH! The Children's Corner

Memory verse: St John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

ይበል:ግዕዝ (yibel Ge’ez)

Let's reclaim our forefathers’ language

Finally, concluding our 3-week countdown, the etymology of nolawi.

ኖላዊ

nolawi - shepherd, herder, custodian, pastor

comes from the root verb ኖለወ nolewe - to tend flocks or to guard, to be a shepherd.

There are different ways to pluralise nolawi. One is ኖሎት nolot, but since the word for sheepfold is identical, you can also say ኖላዊያን nolawiyan. This -yan ending, our regular readers will notice, particularly describes people- it is a grammatical feature we will cover soon.

Another plural form of nolawi is ነዋለው newalew, so if you see it somewhere, don't be alarmed. The change in the order of the consonants may surprise you, but that is a feature of Ge'ez plurals we will also cover in the future.

ORTHODOX Q&A

What is Gehad?

The fast of gehad, or tsome gehad, is one of the 7 canonical fasts of our church. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, gehad refers to The Eve of the Nativity celebration observed on the night of January 6th. It is marked by a night vigil that includes prayers, mahlet and mezmur (hymns) and liturgy. Typically the faithful are fasting at this time to await the birth and presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The feast of the baptism of our Lord by the hand of John the Baptist is also preceded by a gehad.

Send us your questions at: seu.eotccarla@gmail.com

References

Short message on behalf the Spiritual Education Unit:

His Grace Abune Thaddaeus, Head Administrator Archimandrite Abba Gebreyesus, and all clergy and faithful- thank you for the opportunity to share this labour of love with you. Thanks also to the team of the Spiritual Education Unit for their hard work.

-Liqe Teghuan Tekle Mariam Greene

Zemene Nolawi: The Shepherd

eotc-ma.com/post/zemene-nolawi

My Sheep Hear My Voice

eotcmk.org/e/weeks-of-the-prophets-fast-2/

ukmidcopts.org/tag/thegoodshepherd/

stmaryofchicago.org/Article/Details/211

catenabible.com/jn/10

Faith and Works:

Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God by Nortz Basil

Ask Abba/Kes:

copticorthodoxanswers.org/orthodox-spirituality/how-should-i-pray/