Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - 2nd Week of Advent - Tues
[Isa 40:1-11 and Matt 18:12-14]"Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." [Isaiah]
The first scripture for today from Isaiah should be familiar because it was the first scripture for this past Sunday! However, the shepherd image probably stayed in the background because of the powerful figure of John the Baptist, who was not a shepherd. Handel's MESSIAH has a beautiful rendition of the words I quoted above in the aria, "He shall feed his flock." The thrust of the image is God seeking us, which is the image in Jesus' words in today's gospel about a shepherd going in search of one lost sheep. "In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."
The Advent significance of these scriptures focuses on God's care and seeking for us, which will be celebrated in the birth of Jesus. Perhaps, given the stresses and challenges of this season in the world around us, we could show the same care for one another. If someone we know seems lost or feels abandoned, we could go in search of them. Maybe there is a division or alienation in the family or an illness that isolates someone. By our caring, we can do what John the Baptist did in proclaiming the one who is to come. AMEN