December 6th

December 6, 2022
Tuesday of the 2 nd Week of Advent
Readings: Is 40:1-11/Mt 18:12-14
Raul Garcia: Sophomore

In Matthew 18 verses 12-14, Jesus uses the Parable of the Lost Sheep to teach his
disciples. In the parable, a shepherd loses one sheep out of one-hundred and goes
out to find the sheep to bring it back to the flock. Once the shepherd finally finds
the sheep and leads it back, the shepherd is overjoyed at the return, more so than
the shepherd is that the ninety-nine other sheep stayed. This parable is a direct
reflection of God’s nature. We are the lost sheep while God is the Shepherd. God
will be overjoyed and ecstatic when we return to Him, even if we have strayed off
the path and have become lost. Much more, God will be overjoyed when He see us
in heaven with Him forever. This goes to show that we have a merciful and loving
God. Our God is willing to accept us with open arms, even though we are sinners.
This is a beautiful example of God’s willingness and intention for those who have
strayed from Him, that they return to Him, so that we may all share in His love and
joy. That is such a comforting thought this Advent season. Knowing that we will
be accepted by God into His Kingdom with no consequences even though we are
all sinners, and we have all strayed from Him before, is a showcasing of his
omnibenevolence. No matter how long or short we stray from Him, or how
severely we stray from Him, God will always be ready for us to return to Him with
open arms, ready to take us in and embrace us, especially this season of Advent.