Reflection for December 10
Katherine F. Brown, Jesus and the Lamb
Today’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, is one that most of us are likely familiar with. Jesus poses a question to his listeners: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
This parable reminded me of two Facebook memes that I often see posted. One depicts Jesus carrying a sheep across his shoulders standing in front of the flock and one in the flock saying, “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold it right there! He wasn’t lost. We kicked him out!” The blank stare on the face of Jesus seems to be one of consternation and disbelief.
The other meme reads, “Jesus leaving the 99 to find one seems illogical, irrational, and senseless…until that one is you.” Jesus wants us to see that ALL are to be included, no one should be left out or turned away because we might believe they are somehow unworthy because of their differences or their “sin.” God loves us all, equally. God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s mercy and forgiveness are available to all even if it seems beyond our limited understanding. Perhaps it will only make sense to us when we can see ourselves as the one who is seeking grace and forgiveness and wants to come back home.
The reading from Isaiah today speaks of making a way for the Advent of our great and powerful God. Yet that same God is compared to a shepherd, feeding the flock, gently caring for the sheep, and carrying the lambs in His arms. Today, I will be thankful for our Good Shepherd, who never abandons us. Amen!
Our Lady of Loreto, Pray for Us!
Tim Urso