The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Today's Reflections

                                                                                   

 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Mt 18:12-14

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹²“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? ¹³And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. ¹⁴In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

He rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine. God’s ways are not our ways (cf Is 55:8). This parable of Jesus shows how.

We often think “democratically,” that is, in terms of the majority or greater number. God thinks in terms of the value of individuals (so much so that God cares for every sparrow that falls to the ground). We rejoice with those who are exemplary or outstanding. God’s great joy is in finding those considered lost, last, and least. We search for the good and we run after those with great potentials, while God pursues and looks for those who have sinned and have hurt themselves. We reward excellence; God rewards even the smallest step towards change and conversion. I am glad that God is not like us!

Look into yourself and see with whom you identify in the parable—with the lost or with the ninety-nine—and find out why.

“Love… does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing

but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor 13:5-6).