December 10, 2019 Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent-A
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96
Matthew 18:12-14
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Is.40:11
“…it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Mt. 18:14
Lord, a missing child provokes a response from law enforcement, generates alerts on the internet, moves many people to search and even lights signs on our highways. There are even public pleas on TV. It seems the whole community stops what they are doing and searches for the lost little one. All parents can sympathize with the anguish of the missing child’s mom and dad. When the child is found safe everyone breathes a sigh of relief and shares their joy with the family. Your parable of the lost sheep shows us how much you care for each and every one of us. You would risk 99 sheep to retrieve 1 that had strayed. Because you love each member of your flock you never give up searching for any of us that become lost. In our humanity we often give up on sinners that refuse to change. We look at them as “lost souls.” Thank you Lord, for going to such great lengths in bringing home the most sinful of your sheep even those who don’t want to be found. Help me to never give up on anyone either. Amen.