People of God Are Comforted

The themes of comfort and Judgement are present in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. Isaiah speaks of the return of the people of God who have been in spiritual and physical exile to the relationship with the Divine which will be evidenced by the richness of the path travelled in company of God. He speaks of the care of God for the people as like a shepherd carrying the lambs. The psalmist praises the equity, truth and judgement of the Divine in relationship with the people. The life in the influence of these qualities of God will be marvellous and joyful. Matthew uses the image of sheep and shepherd to convey through Jesus teaching that each person is the concern of the Divine Shepherd. The search is always in progress to find and call the lost back to the flock where rejoicing will accompany their return.