During the Christmas Eve Mass in 2022, the gospel reading told of the shepherds leaving their flocks and going to see Jesus. My thoughts went to the sheep that they left behind; did they leave them alone or in the care of a shepherd who stayed behind? Jason said that one of the things they are learning in deacon formation is to not get lost in the weeds–the little details that do not lend to the story being told or the lesson being taught. In this case, the shepherds were visited by angels and went to see the newborn king.
But my thoughts go to this parable: The shepherd leaving the 99 to seek out the one lost sheep.
In this case, did the shepherds leave the 99 to seek out the one true Lamb? If one lost sheep was so important, how important is our Savior?
Do we put down our earthly treasures and concerns and follow him?
Do we put him first in our lives, not to the detriment of our family and work but to allow both to be further blessed and becoming our good fruits?
When we go astray– when we go into the weeds, Jesus, Our Savior, seeks us out!
Since Jesus is one with the Triune God, he too is timeless. So perhaps while the shepherds were visiting him, he was with the flock.
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I have been married to Jason for 28 years and we have been blessed with 2 daughters--Stephanie and Emily. A cradle Catholic, I identify with Martha, who was so busy being busy that she missed out on an opportunity to hang out with Jesus.