everyone counts

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96 The Lord Our GOd comes with Power; Matthew 18:12-14

Today in the church we celebrate the memorial of the Doctor of the Church St. Ambrose of the 4th century, bishop of Milan.

He was elected Bishop by popular demand even before he was ordained and is known for his eloquence in speech and holiness in deeds.

A few words from the Good Doctor on receiving the Eucharist

"If it is "daily bread," why do you take it once a year? . . . Take daily what is to profit you daily. Live in such a way that you may deserve to receive it daily. He who does not deserve to receive it daily, does not deserve to receive it once a year.


This is the Bread of everlasting life which supports the substance of our soul."On gentleness:

"If the highest end of virtue is that which aims at the advancement of most, gentleness is the most lovely of all, which does not hurt even those whom it condemns, and usually renders those whom it condemns worthy of absolution."And one more just for Good Measure:

"No one heals himself by wounding another."

Now for Advent...

In the words of Jesus in today's gospel

"What is your opinion?" Jesus said to his disciples, "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in th ehills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you he rejoices more over it than the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."

Everyone counts. This is the meaning of the scripture of above. We are not the ones to determine who is unworthy. Everyone counts.

How easy is it for us to discount others. How easy is it to refuse to recognize others as part of the fold. How easy it would it be to stay witht he ninety nine on the hills where it is safe and sound and secure. Yet, we must go forth into the dark places, where the wolves are, in search of the lost and forsaken.

Everyone counts.

In some way, we are all lost. Especially if we think we are found. We are always in need of Him who was sent for us all.

Advent is about preparing for the one who is sent for the lost. The one who leaves the heights of heaven and comes to the valley of sin and death in search for the lost, you and I.

We count. This is the message of the incarnation. We count, all count, everyone counts.