Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
(Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14)
Today’s first reading is taken from the marvelous
introduction to the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. It tells of mysterious voices speaking out at
a heavenly council meeting. Rather than
considering these voices to be those of minor gods or of angels, they may be
taken as responses of the Word of God to the Father. The Word, whom we know to be Jesus Christ, will
urge the people to reform so that the world may come to know God’s love and
justice.
The gospel shows a shepherd striving to bring back a stray
sheep. The shepherd, of course, is Jesus
gathering his whole flock together, even those who have left it aside. They will become a holy nation performing
works of justice that bring others to know the goodness of the Lord.
We are Jesus’ flock. This
is a spiritual truth which we sometimes forget as we become absorbed in material
considerations. Now is the time to let
God’s righteousness be known through our care of one another and of all
creation.
