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“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 the hills and go
in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he
rejoices more over it than over 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." Matthew 18:12–14
It is so easy to go astray. There are many wandering souls who are
lost, confused, and in need of the Shepherd. Perhaps there are many
reasons for this straying, including the lure of fleshly
indulgence, the lure of money, temptations toward pride, anger, and
selfishness, confusion, and much more. Today’s Gospel passage is
not so much about the fact that people do stray; rather, it’s about
God’s desire to win them back.
When a person strays from God, they are left empty. That is the
reality of our human condition. The only way to be satisfied in
life is to give yourself to God out of love. God and God alone
fulfills us. God and God alone can bestow joy and happiness upon
us. So when a person is straying and is left empty inside, they
have to make a choice. Will they repent of their sins and turn back
to God? Or will they continue to seek satisfaction elsewhere?
One of the greatest obstacles to repenting of one’s sins and
turning back to God is our pride. It is hard to admit to sin. It is
hard to admit we went astray. It is hard to take ownership of what
we have done and turn to God for His mercy and compassion.
Today’s Gospel is especially for the sinner who has strayed. It
presents us with an image of God that is exceptionally inviting.
It’s the image of a God Who goes forth searching for the stray
sheep. But the most important image in today’s Gospel is that of
the rejoicing of the Shepherd. We must come to realize that when
God seeks us out and gets through to us, we should have no shame
anymore. God does not condemn the person who has sorrow. Instead,
He rejoices and carries that soul back home. Whenever we start to
stray in life and give into a life of sin, we must understand this
image of God and know that it applies to us.
The truth is that sin is humiliating. And facing humiliation is
difficult. But it’s also purifying. And if you are willing to
embrace the humiliation experienced by confessing your sin, an
endless amount of freedom awaits. Freedom comes especially in the
form of God rejoicing and carrying you home.
Reflect, today, upon the holy image of the Good Shepherd diligently
searching for you. See His loving desire to get through to you, to
reunite with you, to forgive you, and to lovingly carry you home.
Allow fear of judgment to disperse. Humble yourself and acknowledge
your sin. Admit that you are incapable of overcoming it by
yourself. If you do, the heart of the Good Shepherd will rejoice as
He lifts you up and carries you to freedom.
Jesus, my Good Shepherd, Your love and compassion are
incredible. You are a God of the utmost mercy. Please open my eyes
to see You as You are, and dispel all fear from my heart. Please
forgive me of my sin, lift me up, and carry me back to Your fold.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: National Trust, Public domain, via Wikimedia
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