Let's talk about today's readings 12/09/08

[cheeto1]

Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalms 84
Matthew 18:12-14

In Isaiah we re-hear last Sunday’s reading that starts, “Console
my people, console them says your God”. When I heard it on
Sunday, I decided to take it as a direct command for the day
and look for someone to console. I paid attention, but in the end
I consoled no one. In fact, I dashed the hopes of someone who
wanted to do something foolish, and to someone who was ill, I
said I was glad they are doing so well. Now I hear the same words again today, and I look on it as a second chance.

Again the psalm repeats itself, “Sing a new song to the Lord!”,
as this was just read yesterday for the Immaculate Conception.
So I think twice about the meaning for me and wonder if I’m to
console someone in a new way.

Today’s gospel is one of the all-time most confusing. I would
never leave 99 sheep in danger. It doesn’t say what the good
shepherd does when He comes back with the one and finds
the rest gone, in 99 different directions. Then what does He do?
If they are all there, just fine, then I guess they didn’t really need
the shepherd after all. I look at everyone in the morning mass and think of us all as the 99. And where is Jesus? I guess He’s out right now, looking for the one. Of course, we know He’s here with us, but if we want to be closer to Him, I guess we have to go with Him to find the one.

But here is the hardest question of all: How does God tell the
difference between the lost sheep and the prodigal son? How can we?

This is also the day of Juan Diego, an Indian convert, who has been given the gift of an image of Mary on his cloak, or “mantle” whatever that is.

Did anything strike you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[Simon_X]

Wow Cheeto, you certainly put a lot on the table…very good points though…

Ill take a swing at the Gospel…Perhaps the “lost sheep” are those who haven’t yet heard or understand God’s word and he is seeking them? Perhaps they are the addicted or abused that our Lord is trying to find or help?

 

[ziapueblo]

Today’s first reading from Isaiah compliments St. Matthew’s Gospel. Isaiah 40:11, “He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” It goes along perfectly with the Gospel. Jesus, the shepherd, will find the lost sheep and bring them back to the flock.

 

[cheeto1]

Wow Cheeto, you certainly put a lot on the table…very good points though…

Ill take a swing at the Gospel…Perhaps the “lost sheep” are those who haven’t yet heard or understand God’s word and he is seeking them? Perhaps they are the addicted or abused that our Lord is trying to find or help?

To me, a lost sheep is someone who is distracted or tricked out of their faith in some way. While the abused could be rescued from danger, the addicted probably doesn’t want to be rescued.
Supposing he or she is instead a prodigal who has no wish to return? (yet?) With the lost sheep, the policy is search and rescue, while with the prodigal, it’s hands off and wait faithfully.
I bet many a prodigal has been treated as a lost sheep and didn’t take kindly to it. And I wonder how many lost sheep have been treated at prodigals when they really needed rescuing?

 

[scaron]

Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalms 84
Matthew 18:12-14

…

Today’s gospel is one of the all-time most confusing. I would
never leave 99 sheep in danger.

Right. No one would. and these people (probably at least some of them) that Jesus was speaking to were in the shepherding business, and knew that, I think.

So, i always read this as an example of the profligacy of God in tracking down the lost sheep.

“Which one of you wouldn’t leave the 99 to go find the 1?” Well, none of us would! But He will! He is the Good Shepherd.

Also, I see it kind of as a warning. Do we, the church today track down the lost sheep? If someone has stopped coming to mass, does the pastor call him up and ask him why? or even better, get in his car and go to see the missing sheep? Do we as a community rejoice when the lost sheep is brought back to the fold? Do we celebrate with the old woman who has found her coin?

 

[cheeto1]

Do we as a community rejoice when the lost sheep is brought back to the fold?

You mean like a party? Or an announcement at the end of mass, followed by applause? I wonder if anyone reading this
has left the church and come back. How would you feel about
this kind of treatment?