The authority of the writings of the ancients sages, saints, bishops and doctors of the Church [Doctors Universalis] quoted on this site, {namely: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Epiphanius of Salamis, Andreas of Caesarea, Saint Ephraem, Marbode of Rennes, Saint Isadore of Seville, Saint Albert the Great, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Frances De Sales, Blessed Nicolaus Steno,Saint Bede the Venerable, Saint Benedict of Nursia, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Hildegarde of Bingen, Saint Theresa of Avila, and Saint Therese of Lisieux.}, and the virtues associated with the Biblical gemstones elaborated, are mere branches of the singular authoritative vine, the Lord Jesus Christ, as explained by 7th Century sage, Saint Bede the Venerable:
"And it is to be noted, that 'the foundations [of the Heavenly Jerusalem],' when they are spoken of in the plural, signify the doctors, or virtues, of the Church; but when in the singular, the Lord Himself, Who is the foundation of foundations." -Saint Bede the Venerable, Commentary of the Apocalypse
from the Exposition on John’s Gospel of St. Thomas Aquinas (Cap 10, lect. 3)
I am the Good Shepherd. Surely it is fitting that Christ should be a shepherd, for just as a flock is guided and fed by a shepherd so the faithful are fed by Christ with spiritual food and with his own body and blood.
The Apostle said: You were once like sheep without a shepherd, but now you have returned to the guardian and ruler of your souls. The prophet has said: As a shepherd he pastures his flock. Christ said that the shepherd enters through the gate and that he is himself the gate as well as the shepherd. Then it is necessary that he enter through himself. By so doing, he reveals himself, and through himself he knows the Father. But we enter through him because through him we find happiness. Take heed: no one else is the gate but Christ. Others reflect his light, but no one else is the true light. John the Baptist was not the light, but he bore witness to the light. It is said of Christ, however: He was the true light that enlightens every man. For this reason no one says that he is the gate; this title is Christ’s own. However, he has made others shepherds and given that office to his members; for Peter was a shepherd, and so were the other apostles and all good bishops after them. Scripture says: I shall give you shepherds according to my own heart.
Although the bishops of the Church, who are her sons, are all shepherds, nevertheless Christ refers only to one person in saying: I am the Good Shepherd, because he wants to emphasize the virtue of charity.
Thus, no one can be a good shepherd unless he is one with Christ in charity. Through this we become members of the true shepherd."