Advent: Catholic ReflectionsSample

God loves you. You will have heard this said many times, but it is still the greatest truth you will hear. Accepting the truth of the enormity of God's love for us is a lifelong journey. We will never truly know the fullness of God's love until we join with him in heaven. God cares for us deeply. He desires our joy and peace. Our Bible readings today use the imagery of God as our shepherd and we the sheep of his flock. The images are of tenderness and concern for the sheep. Isaiah speaks of the shepherd "gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast." It is an intimate picture of tender loving care. Matthew tells us of the lost sheep whom the shepherd seeks out and the joy at finding the lost sheep. God rejoices each time we return to his loving embrace.