12 Dec
Tue
2nd Week of Advent
Is. 40:1-11
Ps. 96:1-3,10-13
Mt. 18:12-14
(Ps Wk II)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

In today's Gospel we have the simplest of all the parables of Jesus. It is the simple story of a lost sheep and a seeking shepherd. Jesus presents this as His favourite picture of God and of the Father's love, and teaches us many aspects of that love.

First, the love of God is a personal love. The ninety-nine were not enough, one sheep was out on the hillside and the shepherd could not rest until he had brought it home. God relates to us in the same way. Before God we stand as unique persons and precious individuals.

Second, the love of God is a patient love. Sheep are proverbially foolish creatures. We may be fools but God loves us. God yearns with patience so that we may learn through our failures and grow out of our foolishness.

Third, the love of God is a seeking love. The shepherd was not content to wait for the sheep to come back. He went out to search for it. Jesus reveals the Father as one who does not wait for the return of sinners, but goes out to search for them. The Jews could never understand this Christian idea of God.

Fourth, the love of God is a rejoicing love. God delights in our being reconciled and made whole. He sees us not as we were, not even as we are, but what we can grow to be in accepting His love.

Finally, the love of God is a protecting love. The protecting love of God makes the wanderer wise, the weak strong and the sinner pure.



Lord, thank You for loving me and all people the way You do.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christ, meek and humble of heart, may inspire those responsible for nations to use power wisely and responsibly.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2006. All rights reserved.