Tuesday 2nd Week of Advent A 2025

How hard must it be to bring to the safety of the shepherd the little ones that are lost.

How rare is it that a lost soul will find their way back to the one who created them and set them on their path in this world.

A path meant for loving God and glorifying his name by loving others selflessly and with all our being, as he loved us.

 

We use different words to describe the aha moment that would turn a soul from a path toward destruction.

 We say they have repented of their ways. Just as we know we have to repent every day when we fall short of the love of God.

 

We may say they saw the light which means they saw the light that has shown on the truth that was hidden from them by the evil one. Usually, it was light that was reflected from another. One of the body of Christ has shown bright enough so that the little lost one could see.

 

We sometimes say they were converted as if they were one thing altogether and then became another. When in truth we were created, in fact we were planned and part of the great strategy of God long before even our parents were born or our grandparents.

 

Each soul has a place in the kingdom of God and has a light to shine for others.

 

So, when one has gone astray, they indeed, put not only themselves in jeopardy, but also dim the light for all. For if we are sons and daughters made in the image of God we were created to be light for all around us. When we do not shine, others can’t see the light to come home to the Father either. It is like a ripple in the water and we are all part of the waters of God. Connected, planned, one body in Christ.

 

So when one goes astray, the whole body is influenced and sees the loss of a light. And if it happens. If the shepherd is able to bring just one lost soul back we all rejoice for this brother or sister of ours who was lost and no longer has the light of Christ burning in them has been brought back to the body. The kingdom is built up higher than before, and others see their change and conversion.  They also are reminded about God s love and some of those change and come back home too. It is truly a ripple effect.

 

And conversely, as one is lost others can be lost, that’s why scripture tells us woe to anyone who leads another astray.

 

This 2^nd Week of Advent we must shine brightly for those around us. There can not be any doubt who we are and whose we are. Shine your light of love on others. Tell them of the joy and peace and protection Jesu provides for you. Share with them the comfort and hope that is only possible by being part of the body of Christ.  Is in the time for softly speaking words that heal and lift up others. This is the time to be careful with the hearts of even strangers for they too are loved ones of Jesus.

 

Our Lord treasures each and every one of us for we are important and valued and loved by God more deeply than human love could understand.

 

Are we full of joy and hope this Advent? Do our family and friends know?