Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
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.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

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.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

If a man has a 100 sheep and one strays away. Would you leave the flock and go lookging for it…? In a word no, this would be totally crazy. The idea that any shepard would leave the rest of the flock at risk to predators or poachers, to go seek the lost sheep is not only crazy but negligent. Shepherding is a business like any other, and you do not put your entire business at risk for fear of the loss of 1% of it.

But you are not a normal sheep, and Jesus is not a normal shepard. Jesus is the good shepard that loves and watches over his flock from afar. He is ever vigilant and mindful of the one sheep straying away. He is not in the business of making money off of His sheep, He is in the business of saving souls, and protecting every sheep that is in His flock from being taken by the evil one.

But we humans are not exactly like sheep either, We are not completely helpless and vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one. We have the ability to choose not to stray, and we have the ability to fight off predators, on our own. But we must stay with Jesus, in His flock. When we stray from his flock, we put ourselves at the most risk, and make oursleves most vulberable to the evil one and his minions. But that is when Jesus comes looking for you! That is how crazy in love with us He is. We dont deserve to be loved this much. but we are, and I am so grateful for it.

The world is full of so many lost sheep and we should never forget that, He is out looking for every one of them. If you are a lost sheep call to Him, and run to Him when you see Him. He is waiting to bring you back into the fold. If you are already in the flock, be vigilant and watch over your fellow members of the flock, the wolves are always out there looking for someone to devour. But never forget that He is crazy in love with you, and He will do anything for you. You simply need to call to Him.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Please lord help me today to find my way back to the flock, and to rest comfortably in His love and protection.