SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT (C) : Tuesday, 10th December 2024

Prophet Isaiah pronounces an oracle of the release
of Israel from the Babylonian exile. The exile was
God’s punishment on Israel for her sins. However, the
time has come for Israel to be set free from her
captivity. The announcement is a divine decree which is
filled with consolation and hope for the nation. Yahweh
Himself will triumphantly come forth in procession
from Mt. Sinai into the holy city. Upon His return, God
will bless the people with His mercy and authority. He
will rule over them with loving care, just like a
shepherd who tends his sheep.

Today’s Gospel passage highlights God as a
shepherd who searches out the sheep that strays. The
finding of the stray sheep gives God great joy for He
wills that all His sheep are safe. Jesus teaches His
listeners that God will make every effort to seek out the
lost. Christians must therefore feel more joy not only on
the return of their brothers and sisters who are “lost” but
because God never tires of seeking.

We are to care in a special way for weak or “lost”
Christians. Pope Francis says, “I prefer a Church which
is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out
there on the streets, rather than a Church which is
unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its
own security” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). The grace for
us is to imbibe God who seeks out the lost.

Lord, use me to console and raise hope for the
weak and the lost.