Gospel for Tuesday 9 Dec 2025, Advent week 2 or Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, Matthew 18:12-14

Catholic Reflections – The Joy of the Lost Sheep Found Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025 liturgical Liturgical: Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent or Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Outline: • Introduction and opening prayer • Full Gospel reading • Reflection on the Good Shepherd’s heart • Key points for prayer and daily life • Concluding prayer Gospel – Matthew 18:12-14 (full reading): God does not will that one of these little ones should perish. At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’ Key Points from this Episode: 1. The value of each soul The shepherd does not write off the one sheep as a loss. In God’s eyes, each person is precious and worth seeking out. 2. God searches, we do not save ourselves The initiative belongs to the shepherd. God comes after us when we wander, entering our darkness and confusion to bring us home. 3. Joy over the found one The shepherd rejoices more over the found sheep than the ninety-nine who never strayed. Heaven rejoices when even one heart turns back to God. 4. The Father’s will of mercy Jesus reveals the Father’s desire: that none of the little ones should perish. God’s heart is not to condemn, but to save and restore. 5. Called to share the Shepherd’s heart As disciples, we are invited to reflect this same care: not judging or dismissing those who stray, but praying for them and gently helping them home. Concluding Prayer: Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, You came to seek and to save what was lost. Thank You for never giving up on us when we wander in sin, fear, or indifference. Draw us back to Your Heart and carry us on Your shoulders of mercy. Give us confidence in the Father’s will that none of the little ones should perish. Heal our image of God where it is fearful or harsh, and let us know the truth of Your compassion. Make us instruments of Your searching love: attentive to those who are far from You, patient with those who struggle, and full of hope for every soul. Mary, Mother of the Little Ones, pray for us and for all who are lost, that they may hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and find their way home. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Tags: Catholic, Gospel, Advent, Matthew 18, Lost sheep, Good Shepherd, Mercy, God’s will, Little ones, Conversion, Daily Gospel, Catholic Podcast, @catholicreflectionstoday Catholic Reflections