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Memorial of Saint Ambrose

Readings of the Day 
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Today's gospel starts with a question, "What is your
opinion?"  Jesus is asking us to ponder the intended
meaning of the parable he's telling.  He speaks of an owner
with 100 sheep where one has gone astray.  Conventional wisdom
would say sometimes you have to sacrifice the wayward lamb to protect
the 99.  But this owner isn't conventional; he goes out of
his way not to lose anything that is his.  It makes you wonder
- why?

Our God is wildly in love with us and wants nothing more than to be in
right relationship.  History documents the many times we've
turned our back on him or "gone astray." 
Conventional wisdom might ask us to sacrifice to get back in the
fold.  But our God is not conventional; not only does he not ask
us to sacrifice, he sends his Son to bring us back into right
relationship.  Emmanuel - God among us.  In the
ultimate act of love, he becomes a sacrifice for us - he
doesn't want to lose even one of those entrusted to his care.

By societal standards, many of those we serve at Catholic Charities
have "gone astray."  Maybe they're experiencing
homelessness, maybe battling addiction, maybe struggling with mental
illness.  Most are facing the ill effects of poverty.  In
many cities, conventional wisdom would say, "Let's look
the other way and hope they go away."  But our mission is
not conventional; it calls us to be more, to show a preferential
option for the poor and vulnerable, to go to the margins, to sacrifice
and seek out the lost sheep.

Isaiah tells of a voice that cries out in the desert: "Prepare
the way of the Lord."  We echo that call and prepare the
way for the Lord when we cry out against conventional wisdom.  We
give a voice to the voiceless.  We advocate for families who
deserve a place at the table.  We serve with care and compassion,
just as Jesus taught us to do.

Many of those we serve have experienced traumatic events in their
lives - trauma which challenges their ability to believe in or embrace
a loving God.  We are the hands and feet of Christ.  With
our actions we cry out - "Here is a God you can believe
in!" - a God who wants his people to know his love, to
experience life in abundance, peace beyond all understanding, and joy
that transcends the tumult of this world.  We plant a seed for
the Holy Spirit. What a blessing it is to represent Christ in our
world.

As we journey through Advent, let us long for the spirit of Emmanuel
to animate our ministry so that all we serve will experience the true
joy of Christmas this year.

Deacon Scott Haner is a Permanent Deacon at St. Patrick parish in
Louisville, KY.  He also serves on the Board of Catholic
Charities of Louisville.




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