Parable
of the Lost Sheep
(Luke 15.1-7)
(Luke 15.1-7)
He addressed
this parable: “What man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of
them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one
until he finds it? And when he does find
it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon
his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I
tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of
repentance.
Pope Francis’s
Commentary
…[I]n Jesus’ vision there are no sheep that
are definitely lost, but only sheep that must be found again. We need to
understand this well: to God no one is definitely lost. Never! To the last
moment, God is searching for us….
No distance can keep the shepherd away; and
no flock can renounce a brother. To find the one who is lost is the joy of the
shepherd and of God, but it is also the joy of the flock as a whole! We are all
sheep who have been retrieved and brought back by the mercy of the Lord, and we
are called to gather the whole flock to the Lord!
(General Audience.
May 4, 2016)
Examination of
Conscience
Another problem with mercy is that it often
seems risky, even dangerous; how responsible is it for the shepherd to risk the
safety of the 99 in order to rescue one?
Can you think of instances in which
you withhold mercy because it’s too risky or irresponsible?
Today’s Prayer
Divine God of
Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her
children, even when we least deserve it. Help us to be merciful to others even
when it’s risky or irresponsible.
We all need to give mercy as well as accept mercy. Jesus is telling us we are all worthy, we just need to believe it.
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