Replies

<< Tuesday, December 9, 2003 >>

St. Juan Diego

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 96

Matthew 18:12-14

LOST LOVE

“It is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief.” —Matthew 18:14

At this time of weakened, lukewarm faith, we have more stray sheep than we have sheep following the Master (see Mt 18:12). We have more fallen away Christians than committed ones.

Jesus’ attitude toward these sinners is one of mercy. In His mercy, He has become a human being and died on the cross to free those trapped in sin. He has made the ultimate sacrifice to lead the stray sheep back to Him. As disciples of Jesus, we must be like Him and make any sacrifice to lead others back to Him. Driven by mercy, we must make it a priority to seek the lost.

As we prepare for the Christmas season, our hearts go out to those who have nothing. By this, we do not primarily mean the poor and underprivileged, as great as their suffering is. Rather, those who have nothing are principally those who have not given their lives to Christ or have lost their new life in Christ. Without a total commitment to Christ, life is a living death (see 1 Jn 3:14). In mercy, let us reach out to the poorest of the poor: those who do not know Christ’s love or have lost their first love (see Rv 2:4). Seek the lost sheep.

Prayer: Father, give me Jesus’ heart for the lost.

Promise: “Here comes with power the Lord God, Who rules by His strong arm.” —Is 40:10

Praise: St. Juan Diego’s humble obedience conquered the New World more than all the conquistadors combined.

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Aging Is a Gift!
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Tuesday, December 9, 2003

Is 40:1-11 / Mt 18:12-14

Isaiah reminds us quite pointedly today of our mortality. “All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts....” How true, and how fast it happens. Before we know it, our lives are half over or more. And we can find ourselves sad or disappointed or even fearful about what comes next. There’s a yearning in us for something more substantial, something more lasting.

Isaiah shows us where to look. “Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.” And that’s where we need to plant our lives, squarely in the Lord who is the ground of our being. Aging has its drawbacks, but it has some singular blessings as well. It can remind us of what lasts and what doesn’t, of where our hearts will be satisfied and filled full, and where they won’t. It can prod us to let go of what doesn’t count, and to grasp at real life, not just appearances.

Thank God that He’s giving you the gift of time, time to grow up on the inside and to learn to value what has lasting value. Thank God, and let Him come all the way into your life.

May your Christmas celebration be more than just a recollection of events long past. Let it be a rejoicing at His coming to take up residence within you, never to leave again.

One Bread, One Body