Matthew 18:12-14 Advent day 10
This reading is precious. Jesus, always one to upset the apple cart, push the envelope, befriend the outcasts of his time, stand up to the religious authorities and show love for all people, great and small, is still doing a fine job today in this reading.
This is the time of joy for all but there's a tinge of irony in the air. Many will scoff at the Catholics that certainly come out of the woodwork at this time of year, the church's "lost sheep" if you will. Many will bemoan the crowds at midnight Mass with all of the good CAPE Catholics in attendance. Can't you hear it? "I wish the church was this full all year long". "These once a year Catholics make me sick". "Excuse me, that's MY pew!" I'm not making this stuff up. I've heard worse as both an usher and reverend. No one is immune even though many of the people uttering such things really are good and decent people. They perceive an iniquity in someone who rarely attends and being received on the same level as them at the table of the Lord when they are always attending, week after week, if not day after day.
Surprise! Jesus has got news for everyone in this reading. I am sure you can draw the implications. Jesus welcomes even the seeming "unchurched"and the poor attenders at his table.
This Advent as you try to prepare and think about the journey we are all on and the gift we are being given in the birth of our Lord, please know you are welcome in God's house. You should put your shoulders back and your head high because if you are the one lost sheep out of the 99, Jesus is not happy to see you, He is crying tears of joy to see you. While you walk shoulders back and head high, should you feel the need to lower your eyes for some self reflection or something you feel be bad about, go right ahead. We are after all on a journey to wholeness. But don't lower those eyes for long, be sure to quickly raise your eyes again to heaven in glory and thanksgiving for the gift we have received and we celebrate in Advent and at Christmas.
Know that you are always welcome in God's house.
This reading is precious. Jesus, always one to upset the apple cart, push the envelope, befriend the outcasts of his time, stand up to the religious authorities and show love for all people, great and small, is still doing a fine job today in this reading.
This is the time of joy for all but there's a tinge of irony in the air. Many will scoff at the Catholics that certainly come out of the woodwork at this time of year, the church's "lost sheep" if you will. Many will bemoan the crowds at midnight Mass with all of the good CAPE Catholics in attendance. Can't you hear it? "I wish the church was this full all year long". "These once a year Catholics make me sick". "Excuse me, that's MY pew!" I'm not making this stuff up. I've heard worse as both an usher and reverend. No one is immune even though many of the people uttering such things really are good and decent people. They perceive an iniquity in someone who rarely attends and being received on the same level as them at the table of the Lord when they are always attending, week after week, if not day after day.
Surprise! Jesus has got news for everyone in this reading. I am sure you can draw the implications. Jesus welcomes even the seeming "unchurched"and the poor attenders at his table.
This Advent as you try to prepare and think about the journey we are all on and the gift we are being given in the birth of our Lord, please know you are welcome in God's house. You should put your shoulders back and your head high because if you are the one lost sheep out of the 99, Jesus is not happy to see you, He is crying tears of joy to see you. While you walk shoulders back and head high, should you feel the need to lower your eyes for some self reflection or something you feel be bad about, go right ahead. We are after all on a journey to wholeness. But don't lower those eyes for long, be sure to quickly raise your eyes again to heaven in glory and thanksgiving for the gift we have received and we celebrate in Advent and at Christmas.
Know that you are always welcome in God's house.
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."
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