Tuesday, December 10, 2013

My Little Ones Will Not Be Lost


By Beth DeCristofaro

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.  (Isaiah 40:1-2)

….”it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Matthew 18:14)

Piety
O God, May I strive to be the littlest of your little ones, never lost from you, O Lord.

Study
We recently attended a wedding within a family we had not seen in more than 25 years.  It was so exhilarating to reconnect with friends and rejoice in the fruitful passage of time seen in children, grandchildren, fulfilled hopes, rewarding careers, strength and perseverance through troubles.

It was especially gratifying to watch the kids be kids, reacting with wonder in their eyes at the beauty of the bride, their dressed up uncles and aunts, the ceremony of the nuptial Mass and later sliding about the dance floor with the adults. 

We certainly don’t live every day at the level of “wonder.”  Perhaps we might sense it more often, however, if we truly open our ears and heart to Jesus’ words describing God’s love for us.  If we allowed that love to touch us and accept the wonder, would we not more naturally treat each other with the love of neighbor that God requests of us?  It would be both usual and expected to walk in the awesome awareness of God’s love which draws forth from us love for all God’s creatures.   May this Advent allow us to be both present to the passage of human time but also open to the mystery of God present within and without human time.

Action
Read from Isaiah inserting your own name instead of Jerusalem (below).  What do you feel as you read God’s word spoken to you, Beloved Child?  Disbelief that you “merit” such love?  Incredulity that these words are not meant for you, a modern woman/man?  Irritation that you cannot accept such divine potential?  Lost in the desert of a dark night?  Hope that, indeed, God’s love pervades your very being?  Sadness?  Joy?  Awe?  Solace?  Uncertainty?   If you find yourself blocked up, seek to sense why.  God loves you, Little One.


Comfort, give comfort to (Me), says (my) God.  Speak tenderly to (your name) and proclaim to (me) that (my) service is at an end, (my) guilt is expiated; Indeed, (I) have received from the hand of the LORD double for all (my) sins.

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