December 10, 2024
by Thomas Lenz
Creighton University's Department of Pharmacy Practice
click here for photo and information about the writer

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Lectionary: 182

Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalms 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13
Matthew 18:12-14

Praying Advent Home Page

 

Dinner Prayers for the First Part of Advent

Becoming John the Baptist
- Preparing the Way for Jesus

The parable we read in the Gospel of Matthew is likely familiar to most of us. It tells us about a shepherd who leaves his flock in search of one lost sheep. As I reflect on this story, my initial thoughts default to feelings of knowing that God cares about me personally. What a wonderful feeling of comfort and reassurance. But as I stayed with the reading for a bit longer, a few words kept grabbing my attention, and those words seemed to tie together so nicely with Advent and my anticipation and preparation for Christmas.

As I sat with this parable, the notion of being “lost” continued to stay with me. I’m wondering if this is because I often feel lost in big and small ways. Lately, I have been feeling lost and without good clarity in big ways because of our political dualisms, continued wars and conflicts around the world, and the uncertain future health of our planet. But also, in small ways, with a busy “to-do” list at work and at home as the holiday season is fully upon us, just to name a couple. But what quickly follows these feelings of being lost (which I am over-the-top grateful for) is the message within the parable about God’s searching. As the story goes, God seeks me out when I am lost. God isn’t somewhere “out there,” just observing me being lost and waiting for me to do the searching. God is right here, with me, actively moving towards me – and most especially because I am lost.

There are many moments throughout my day and week when it seems easy for me to recognize God’s presence – hearing my grandchildren laugh, watching the sunrise, or staring at the stars. But this parable lets me know that God makes a special point to personally engage with me when things are not well. God doesn’t abandon me. In fact, it seems it is just the opposite. The story tells us that God leaves the stable situation when all is well and is present in the unstable – during those moments of suffering, loneliness, and burnout – when being lost is all we can seem to feel. This is a different level of comfort and reassurance.

But here is the real kicker for me…God is rejoicing in finding me. Jesus says in the reading, “…amen, I say to you, he rejoices…” This gospel tells us that it brings God joy to do this. God is apparently not angry or frustrated that we go astray and have left the structure and stability of “the ninety-nine” – like we sometimes feel when our kids go astray. In fact, God rejoices to be with us in our suffering. Not to rejoice that we are suffering but to rejoice about being in our presence and connecting with us in relationship during our times of suffering. This certainly sounds like “Good News” to me!

This is a new revelation for me that brought my attention then to the Advent season. Since beginning my reflection on this parable and the first reading in Isiah that preceded it, the usual Christmas season messaging of this time of year, such as “rejoicing,” “joy,” “comfort and joy,” “herald of glad tidings,” and “shepherds” all have a new and deeper meaning. For me, these words have moved beyond a surface-level Christmas story to one of deeper connection and relationship with God. Now, seeing these words (and the emotions that come with them) as not just coming from me anticipating the birth of Jesus but also coming from God as anticipating a greater connection with me. I think God is anticipating Christmas as much as I am!

God doesn’t appear to be sitting on the sidelines, watching us go through the motions of life. God seems to be actively engaged in connecting with us even more so than us to God. In this parable, Jesus is telling us something important about who God is. God longs to “know” us just as much as (and probably more so than) we long to know God. This brings me comfort and joy during this Advent season, and it appears to bring comfort and joy to God, too.

/...................................

 

Click on the link below to send an e-mail response
to the writer of this reflection.
thomaslenz@creighton.edu

Sharing this reflection with others by Email, on Facebook or Twitter:

Email this pageFacebookTwitter

Print Friendly

See all the Resources we offer on our Online Ministries Home Page

Daily Reflection Home

Collaborative Ministry Office Guestbook