“And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.” (Matthew 18:13)
In commenting upon this verse from today’s Mass Readings, Saint John Chrysostom writes:
“Do you see in how many ways he leads us to care for our worthless brothers? Don’t therefore say, “The fellow’s a smith, a cobbler, a farmer; he’s stupid,” so that you despise him. In case you suffer the same, see in how many ways the Lord urges you to be moderate and enjoins you to care for these little ones. He placed a little child in the midst and said, “Become like children,” and, “Whoever receives one such child, receives me.” But “whoever causes one of these to sin” will suffer the worst fate. And he was not even satisfied with the example of the millstone, but he also added his curse and told us to cut off such people, even though they are like a hand or eye to us. And again, through the angels to whom these small brothers are handed over, he urges that we value them, as he has valued them through his own will and passion. When Jesus says, “The Son of man came to save the lost,” he points to the cross, just as Paul also says, writing about his brother for whom Christ died. It does not please the Father that anyone is lost. The shepherd leaves the ones that have been saved and seeks the one lost. And when he finds the one that has gone astray, he rejoices greatly at its discovery and at its safety.” (The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 59)
O God,
Who have shown forth Your salvation
to all the ends of the earth,
grant, we pray, that we may look
forward in joy to the glorious
Nativity of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Who have shown forth Your salvation
to all the ends of the earth,
grant, we pray, that we may look
forward in joy to the glorious
Nativity of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
