Second Week of Advent, Tuesday – 07th December 2021 — Gospel: Matthew 18,12-14
Fulfill God’s Will in Seeking and Rejoicing
The first evangelist spreads out in the entire Gospel the metaphor of shepherd and sheep for the leaders and their people. It begins in the infancy narrative (2,6), extends through the ministry and teaching of Jesus (9,36; 10,6.16; 14,14; 15,24.32; 18,12-14; 25,32) and reaches its climax in the passion narrative (26,31-32). This parable of the one hundred sheep teaches us Father’s special concern for the sinners and those who stray, and exhibits the missionary dimension of Jesus’ apostolate. In fact, Jesus in his life time had put this in practice. His option was very much focused when he said that he came “to seek and save the lost” (Lk 19,10), and “not to call the righteous but sinners” (Mt 9,13). The heart of the heavenly Father and the missionary zeal of his Son, encourages the shepherds, their followers, to fulfill God’s will in giving identity to the weak and the errant, and make them at the centre of our celebration.
