Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland with my husband over the summer where we visited a sheep farm to observe sheep dogs in action. It was impressive to watch and hear the farmer use his voice and whistles to command the dogs to guide the sheep where he wanted them. One of the more difficult skills involved having the dogs separate one or two sheep from the rest of the herd. The sheep clearly did not want to be separated; there’s greater strength and safety huddled together as one flock. I got the impression that when there’s not imminent danger, however, it’s not uncommon for one to wander off, to go astray.
Today’s readings refer to God as being like a shepherd. The first reading from Isaiah (40:1-11) refers to God as the comforter and shepherd who gathers the lambs in his arms, “carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” And, again, in the gospel reading (Matthew 18:12-14) we hear the Parable of the Lost Sheep in which God is the shepherd who goes off in search of the one that went astray. Jesus is letting his disciples know that every “little one” matters; the Good Shepherd will leave the other ninety-nine sheep in search of the one lost. That is true for every one of us, including those WE sometimes judge as being unworthy.
It occurred to me that just as the sheep I witnessed on the farm in Ireland need to stay close together for their safety and strength, and to keep from going “astray.” We, too, need each other, our Church community, in order to stay strong in our faith and keep from “going astray.” Even the Scriptures that challenge us and give us hope come from the greater community of faith, written and passed on over a couple thousand years. But when one does wander away from the flock, God is ever present seeking to bring the lost one back in loving arms.
As part of the community of disciples, how might we be called to help keep someone close “in the flock”? Who, right now within our local or greater faith community, might be in need of comfort, support, encouragement or perhaps gentle challenge? Let us pray for one another to know the comfort of God’s loving care and share that with those around us in need.
~Eileen Miller