Rethinking Our Attitude Toward Sinners

Tuesday, 10 December 2024. Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11, Ps. 96:1-3,10-13, Matthew 18:12-14

“So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

Today’s first reading is a Christmas message of glad tidings: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2)

- Isaiah was writing when Israel faced serious political and civil unrest. Much of Isaiah’s prophecies centred on repentance from sin to avert incoming doom. However, in today’s passage, Isaiah speaks of comfort. He speaks of a time that God will come with might to gather the lambs in His arms and gently lead them to green pasture.

- In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus describe Himself as a shepherd who abandons the ninety-nine in search of the lost sheep. Even though the sheep deserves to be punished for going astray, the shepherd’s attitude depicts pity, care, and concern. In other words, by taking our human flesh, Jesus brings to pass the prophecy of Isaiah.

- Like the lost sheep, “all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” (Romans 3:23). We all deserve to be punished or even abandoned. We deserve to be left at the mercy of wild animals. However, we celebrate God (the Good Shepherd) coming to rescue us at Christmas.

- Left to human logic, it wouldn’t be wise to leave the ninety-nine in search of the one. Yet, this is the risk God has taken for us. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

- As if it wasn’t bad enough to risk the ninety-nine in search of the lost sheep, most of us reject the shepherd who has left everything to look for us. By persisting in our sins, we say to Jesus: “I know you sacrificed so much to save me from eternal death and damnation, but leave me alone. I prefer to remain here. I just want to “enjoy” my life to the full. My body belongs to me; allow me to do what I like.” Imagine risking your life to pull out your pet from a ditch to prevent it from drowning, but your pet refuses to leave and even bites you.

- God’s attempt to save the sinner does not endorse sin. As much as God told us in Ezekiel 18 that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Verse 23 & 32), He also mentions in that same Ezekiel 18 that if a man does abominable things, “he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself.” (Ezek. 18:2-13). Jesus speaks of a shepherd rejoicing at the return of a lost sheep. Still, he doesn’t fail to warn us that “the Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:41-42).

- Like Jesus the Good Shepherd who came all the way to save us even though we deserve to die, we must learn to be more sympathetic towards sinners (those who hurt us). Jesus said: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:48). Christian perfection imitates God, who leaves the ninety-nine in search of the one. Instead of spending time only with your friends (those who love you), Jesus wants us to reach out to those who hurt us.

- Treat your offenders as sick patients needing recovery rather than as less-than-human creatures to be avoided. Pray for them. Leave the door open to receive them when they attempt to reconcile with you. Like the Prodigal Son’s father, who graciously accepted his son, we must give second chances to sinners. This way, we can save some and return them to the light.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, as we celebrate Christ’s birthday, help us to understand that He came to save us from sin. Help us to hate sin and follow Christ’s footsteps in saving our fellow brothers and sisters. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Isaiah 40:1-11, Ps. 96:1-3,10-13, Matthew 18:12-14).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu