Daily Reflection for Tuesday, December 07. 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120721.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13
Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
“…it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Matthew 18:14
The Saint Monica Prayer Tree email chain has been busy this year with prayer requests for healing, often followed by prayers of thanksgiving for answered prayers, but also prayers for the repose of the soul of a lost loved one and their families. These requests tug at my heart and draw out a compassionate call of prayers for healing and peace for those in need.
Sometimes the request for healing is not physical but for friends or family who have lost their faith. These prayer requests remind me of Jesus’ question to his disciples: “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 Jesus also says: “that it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” So, we pray for our lost sheep and hopefully encourage them through our example. Saint Monica never gave up on Saint Augustine.
Today is the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church. Ambrose is the teacher who converted and baptized St. Augustine. The Church in heaven and on earth rejoices in his redemption. Let us never cease to pray for the lost sheep. There is hope for all of us!
Peace and Blessings,
Deacon John McShea