Advent: Week 2: Tuesday: Year B: Matthew 18: 12- 14: The Parable of the Lost Sheep: The Supreme Example of Caring.

Advent: Week 2: Tuesday: Year B:

1^st Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11: God consoles his people.

Gospel: Matthew 18: 12- 14: The Parable of the Lost Sheep: The Supreme Example of Caring.

This is one of the most famous parables shared by Jesus- the parable of “The Lost Sheep” or the parable of “The Seeking Shepherd.” It holds a great message for both the believers and the unbelievers, and Jesus applies it to both. Two things show this.

i.                   The words “These little ones” refer to genuine Christian believers and the word “Lost” refers to the unsaved person. Cf. Mt. 18: 5-10.

ii.                 On this particular occasion Jesus was speaking to his disciples (Mt 18: 1). In Luke Jesus shared the same parable with a different audience and directed it more toward the lost.

Some believers are weak, never having grown in the Lord; others cool off and wander away; still others backslide into sin and shame. Some are stubborn towards the Lord.

The one who strays and the one who is lost are always with us. Mt. 18: 14.

1.     Jesus came to save the lost: This is why he came to earth to save what was lost. It means Christ willingly and deliberately left the glory of heaven and his equality with God and made himself nothing.

2.     Jesus seeks every single one that is lost.

a.     The sheep wandered away.

b.     The sheep was sought by the shepherd (Jesus Christ).

c.      The sheep was sought in the mountain. He does not send another person to after the lost sheep but by himself he goes out with love.

d.     The shepherd is patient and enduring. He seeks until he has found.

e.      The shepherd seeks every path, ridge and crevice.

3.     Jesus may or may not find the lost one: Finding the lost sheep is not sure and easy task. It depends on the positive response of the lost sheep.

4.     Jesus forgives and receives over the recovered one: Great joy is there because the sheep was almost lost forever is found now and the task is successful after lots of thoughts, energy, time and effort to find the lost.

5.     God wills that not a single one be lost: Jesus wants each one of us to become the member of God’s family as brothers and sisters on earth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Thought: God loves cares and forgives every single person those who willingly come to Him trusting in the power of God.

What a lesson for us! The concern of God for a single soul!