Matthew 18:12-14

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13

Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:

“What is your opinion?

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,

will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills

and go in search of the stray?

And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it

than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.

In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father

that one of these little ones be lost.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I welcome your comfort and consolation. When I have strayed and was lost through sin, you sent your Son to find me. When I have remained in the fold, you sent your Son to care for me and nourish me. Help me overcome the temptation to stray from your holy will and strengthen my resolve to remain in your grace.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Isaiah’s Promise of Comfort: In the First Reading, God commands Isaiah to promise comfort to his people and speak tenderly to them. The hardship of God’s people, who were sold into exile, will one day come to an end, and the spiritual debt incurred through their sins will be forgiven. A sign of the imminent arrival of this comfort and forgiveness is the appearance of the voice that cries out in the desert to prepare for God’s coming. We know, from the New Testament, that the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about a voice in the desert is John the Baptist. He is the herald of the Good News and points the people of Judah, who gathered around him in the wilderness, to Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Mighty One. We can imagine the words of Isaiah on John’s lips: “Here is your God! Here comes with power, the Lord God!”

2. The Good Shepherd Seeks Out the Lost Sheep: Jesus is the one who redeems God’s people and brings the exile to an end. He gathers the people like a Good Shepherd into the new flock of God. He feeds his flock, gathers us in his arms, carries us close to his heart, and leads us carefully. He seeks out the lost sheep and forgives the sins of those who rebelliously stray from and humbly return to the fold. God is so madly in love with us that he sent his Son to console us and bring comfort. Our hardship – our slavery to sin – is over when we embrace the yoke of Christ: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

3. The Powerful Advent of God: The Responsorial Psalm puts these words of prayer on our lips, “The Lord our God comes with power.” We are encouraged to sing a new song to the Lord. This is new song is the Song of the Lamb (Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3). New songs of praise are composed and sung every time the Lord God acts in a new way to deliver and save his people (Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10). This song is new as compared to the old victory song sung by Israel after the first Exodus (Exodus 15:1-18). The Book of Revelation resounds with new songs that celebrate the salvation of the world in Christ (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Book of the Psalms, 43). We are encouraged to be missionaries and proclaim, in a new song of praise, God’s salvation, glory, and kingship among the nations. All creation is invited to rejoice. The psalm prophesies that the Lord is coming to rule the earth with justice, truth, and faithfulness. This prophecy is initially fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming in the flesh but will find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus’ second coming in glory at the end of time.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, place your yoke upon my shoulders. I know that you will help me to bear it. Your grace is so powerful. With you, I can do all things.

Living the Word of God: How have I experienced divine consolation or comfort in my life? When have I been most at peace in my relationships with God and others?