Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes:
“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.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.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.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
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 vulnerable 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.Oh lord, thank you for being crazy in love with us. I feel unworthy, but I am so grateful. Help me today to stay close to your flock, and to help you track down those that have strayed away, amen.