Monsignor Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Managua, based his homily from the Santa Agatha church in Miami, United States, on the love of the “good Shepherd” and the certainty one must have that God “protects his people.” .
The hierarch emphasized that only the voice of Jesus should be heard in order to overcome adversity. “When we listen to Jesus, we don’t hear commands to follow, or accusations that make us feel guilty.”
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“We hear a friendly voice that gives us confidence and enlightens us. The voice of Jesus does not compel, nor accuse, nor humiliate. Listening to him is living. His voice is unique, it gives us hope and dignity. His voice fearlessly introduces us to the future and makes us live,” he added.
In reference to the attacks by the Ortega regime on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, Báez urged that attention should not be paid “to other voices that deceive and mislead, that frighten and harm.”
“Let’s not listen to any voice. In our conscience the voices of selfishness and ambition resound, voices resound that divert us from life and good. Let’s not listen to them. Let us not be misled », she emphasized.
Alluding to the Ortega dictatorship, the priest pointed out that there are voices that intimidate and oppress, voices that rise up arrogantly to impose themselves and crush freedoms. “Let us not allow those voices to condition us and fill us with fear. They are voices that come from darkened hearts and tormented consciences. Let’s not listen to those voices, let’s not get used to those voices,” he said.
“An authentic pastor fosters freedoms”
Today, Sunday, May 8, “Good Shepherd” Day, the prelate said that an authentic shepherd promotes freedom and does not cause fear. «Jesus pushes us to walk along new paths, out of the sheepfolds that enslave and shelters that isolate. Jesus is the shepherd of a “flock on the way out”, which he leads towards new horizons for faith, for thought and for life».
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“Beyond the tribulations and darkness of each day, there is a great and good hand that holds us, comforts us and leads us. We are in good hands. Beyond our weaknesses and sins, there is a hand that cares for us, lifts us up and forgives us », he stressed.
“The hand of Jesus sustains the Church”
On the other hand, Monsignor highlighted the work of the Catholic Church despite the attacks and aggressions against religious leaders. «Beyond the threats of those who hate the Church, there is a strong hand that guides and protects it, “he said.
«the hand of Jesus, which sustains the Church, is stronger than the slander and persecution that are unleashed against it. The Church may seem weak, but she is not. Let’s not be afraid. We are in good hands.” remarked.
Báez, who has lived in forced exile since 2019, encouraged trusting in God and knowing that it is “the hand of Jesus, it is the strong hand of a faithful and careful shepherd, who fights against the wolves that rise up fiercely against the Church to intimidate her, bend her and submit her to his evil interests.”
“The hand of Jesus sustains the Church so that it continues to be a community that works for peace and brings hope to the world, a prophetic community alongside the last, the poor and the victims. The hand of Jesus is the vigorous hand of a shepherd who holds a walking and fighting staff, with which he guides and defends the Church from him. Let’s not be afraid. We are in good hands », he concluded.
Both Báez and Monsignor Rolando Álvarez and Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes called this Sunday to pray for the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. This occurs after threats from the dictatorship that intends to “legally” attack priests.
