In The Magnificat, Advent Companion, a "rich siritual companion (which) will accompany you like a beloved friend through the four weeks of Advent with poignant scriptual reflections for each day of the season", the reflection on December 7, 2021 really struck home and I need to share it. It was titled "No Spare Sheep" and the reflection, based on Matthew 18:12-14, was written by Father David Barnes. Taking all liberties, I will share the reflection here:

No Spare Sheep

Like most people, I have a spare set of car keys. I also have spare sets of reading glasses. There are many things I possess more than one of, but when I lose something, I am not content to know that I have others like it. I can only focus on the one that I lost. Even after deciding to "forget about it", I cannot help but keep looking. I become a bit obsessive about finding it. People around me get annoyed because they know that my mind is fixated on finding what is lost. I think a lot of us are like that.

The Gospel today recounts the familiar parable of the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. It is comforting to know that the Lord too is obsessed with finding what is lost! Nobody would say to a mother whose child is lost, "Well, at least you have other children". No, we expect that mother to be obsessed with finding her lost child.. The Lord who is Love itself is not satisfied with having many sheep. He wants the lost sheep because there are no spare sheep.

Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Why is He coming? He is coming to find you because you are his one.
Father David Barnes (a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and is the Director of Spiritual Formation at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Mass.)

Prayer Reflection: Heavenly Father, may all those who are lost, alone, or afraid know that the Good Shepherd loves them and is lovingly searching for them.