Luke 15:1-7
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”So to them 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.
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Empathy: Ask God for the grace to see the world through the eyes of others, especially those who are struggling. This empathy will allow you to connect with them on a deeper level and offer genuine support.
Finding the Lost: A Reflection on Acceptance and Grace
In today’s scripture, we encounter a scene brimming with tension. Tax collectors and sinners, considered outcasts by society, are drawn to Jesus’ teachings. This act of inclusion infuriates the Pharisees and scribes, who believe themselves righteous. Jesus responds with a powerful parable, the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Imagine a shepherd with a hundred sheep. He discovers one has strayed, lost and vulnerable in the harsh desert. Remarkably, he doesn’t abandon the ninety-nine secure sheep. He leaves them behind, venturing into the unknown to find the lost one. The shepherd’s relentless pursuit reflects God’s boundless love. We are all God’s sheep, and none are beyond His reach.
The joy upon finding the lost sheep is profound. The shepherd carries it home, not with anger for its wandering, but with overwhelming relief and love. This mirrors God’s immense joy when a sinner repents. There’s a celebration in heaven, a greater rejoicing for the one who returns than for the ninety-nine who never strayed.
This parable challenges us to reflect on our own hearts. Do we judge those who seem lost? Or can we extend compassion, like the shepherd, understanding that all are capable of returning to the fold?
Here are some questions to ponder:
- How can I be more welcoming to those who seem lost or different from me?
- Have I ever strayed from the path? How can I experience the joy of returning?
- Can I celebrate the transformation of others, even if they have made mistakes?
The message is clear: God’s love is boundless. He seeks the lost, rejoices in their return, and extends forgiveness and acceptance. Let us strive to embody this same love, creating a more inclusive and compassionate world, reflecting the joy that fills heaven when even one lost soul finds its way back home.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Experiencing His Love: As you open your heart to accept others and celebrate their transformation, you become a conduit of God’s love. This act of sharing God’s love deepens your connection with him.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post