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Homily of the Day

Title:	Aging is a Gift!
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph. D.
Date:	Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 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 Advent 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

<< Tuesday, December 7, 2004 >>

St. Ambrose

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 96

Matthew 18:12-14

View Readings

ACCEPTABLE LOSSES?

“What is your thought on this...will he not leave the ninety-nine...and go in search of the stray?” —Matthew 18:12

In the Western business world, certain losses are expected. Damaged goods, breakage, stains, defects, bruising or spoilage, theft, or misplacement in transit are simply written off.

In God’s business, no loss is acceptable! “It is the will of Him Who sent Me that I should lose nothing of what He has given Me” (Jn 6:39; see also 17:12; 18:9).

Jesus, the Good Shepherd:

removes stains. He gave Himself up to present a holy and glorious Church “without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort” (Eph 5:25, 27),
heals the broken (Ps 147:3; Is 61:1),
protects the bruised (Is 42:3),
restores the damaged (Is 61:3),
seeks out the lost (Ez 34:12, 16), and
recovers what was stolen (see Jl 2:24-26; Is 49:25).

What is your assessment of the one missing sheep? How would you determine its worth? Like Jesus, would you hunt for a broken, dirty, and defective one to offer comfort and tenderness? (see Is 40:1-2) Is there anyone that you have “written off” as a loss? Perhaps this might be someone whose stain of sin is too repulsive, who has gone too far, who seems too broken to fix?

Jesus said, “ ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ ‘Yes Lord,’ Peter said, ‘You know that I love You.’ Jesus replied, ‘Tend My sheep’ ” (see Jn 21:16). Do you love Jesus?

Prayer: “Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.”

Promise: “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.” —Is 40:11

Praise: St. Ambrose, a bishop of the early Church, guarded the flock by defending the laws and true teachings of the Church and by serving the poor.