December 11, 2018
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11 ;
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13;
Jesus said to his disciples:
"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."
The Lost Sheep
Throughout the Bible, God’s care for his people is frequently likened to that of a shepherd for his sheep. He personally goes after the one that is lost leaving behind the ninety-nine sheep. He finds it and is delighted. The spirit is one of divine festivity and joy. He invites the whole town to rejoice with him as the loss affects the whole community. Jesus makes the point that God continually goes out after those who stray from His grace. He wants us to be with Him and He delights when we repent and accept to be welcomed home.
The parable of the lost sheep does not suggest that God abandons the ninety-nine in favour of the lost one. The Pharisees and scribes are also invited to be part of the celebration: ‘Rejoice with me’. However, the importance of each person to God is highlighted in the parable of the sheep that stays. There is no limit to what God will do to bring back the stray to the fold. This includes both the one who strays by causing scandal as well as the one who strays by being scandalized. The most consoling statement of the gospel makes it explicit: “It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost”.
The parable also shows how God cares for the little ones – those who have no claim to power and influence. God has a place in His generous heart for each of his children. He cares not only for the good sheep – those who remain in the flock, but also for the wayward, those who stray. He searches for them diligently and rejoices when he finds them.
To us who are preparing the way for the Lord’s coming, are asked to demonstrate these traits of God in our dealing with others. We have to search for the lost ones; we have to rejoice at their coming back; we have to give importance to everyone especially to the least and voiceless; we have to care for everyone both sinners and saints alike as God does.
Do we take responsibility for those who have no voice and insignificant in the eyes of God; for those who are marginalized or lost? Are we ready to get back to God and our community or family when we would have strayed away from for one reason or another?
Dr. Fr. John Ollukaran CMI
