“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
12th December 2017.
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TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Reading 1: Is 40:1-11 Isaiah comforts his people with the promise that God himself will come to save them; like a shepherd he will feed and carry his lambs in his bosom.
Res. Psalm: Ps 95: 1-3, 10-13 echoes that our God is coming with power.
Gospel: Mt 18: 12-14Theparable of the lost sheep tells about God’s concern for each of us who strays from his loving care.
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GOD IS SEEKING THE LOST SHEEP
The first reading taken from book of Isaiah, highlights the nature of the shepherd who is full of compassion and tenderness toward His strayed sheep (Israel). In the Gospel Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine and goes searching diligently for that little one. The parable goes on to state that, “If he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray” (Mt 18:13). The shepherd’s anxiety and sadness is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. At first, it may seem unfair that the shepherd rejoices more over the one lost sheep than over the ninety-nine. But if we understand that each and everyone of us is that one lost sheep, it makes sense. As we ponder this parable it’s essential that we reflect upon the deep desire of the shepherd to find us. We must look at his concern, his tireless effort and his diligence in seeking us out. This is the care God has for you.
The paradox in God seeking us, is that He needs nothing, but wants everything from us. Firstly, Our surrender to him is an acknowledgement that everything good came from him in the first place. Secondly, he wants to return to us everything, blessed and purified. It may be difficult to realize that each of us matters to God. But, He did not start the human race to enslave us, but to give us freedom. We may misuse that freedom to wander and get lost, but there is so much joy in being found. The Good Shepherd considers us important and will inevitably come after us when we fall into a culvert, get scratched in the briars, or hide in a cave until the wolves pass by.
Let us reflect today, upon us being that one lost sheep. Being “lost” in our sin is not a pleasant experience. Sin brings fear, despair, confusion, anger and the like. But if we can turn our eyes to the Good Shepherd in the midst of our sinfulness, we will regain hope. We will regain hope that our God cares for us so much that He will never stop searching for us. And when He finds us, His heart will be filled with the greatest joy! When the lost sheep is found, the whole community of heaven rejoices (Lk 15:7).
Prayer: Lord, in the midst of my sinfulness and confusion I turn to You. I trust that You will seek me out. Almighty God, help us to look forward to the glory of the birth of Christ our Saviour. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.