A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 15:3-7
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Encountering Christ
Today’s Gospel brings us one of the most familiar parables in all of Scripture—the parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus tells us of a shepherd who leaves behind ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to search for the one that is lost. And when he finds it, he doesn’t scold or punish—it says, “he joyfully puts it on his shoulders.” Then he returns home, calls his friends and neighbors, and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”
It’s a beautiful image—this is not just a story about sheep. This is a story about God’s heart for you. The pearl of this Gospel is this: no one is too lost to be found by God. No one is forgotten. You matter deeply to Him—even in your brokenness, in your wandering, in your shame.
Years ago I served as a chaplain at Men’s Central Jail. I would visit the men on high-power floors – the men not allowed out of their cells. There was one section in the facility with only six single-man cells. The music and TV blared at their highest volume for 24 hours. I guessed that this was done so they wouldn’t have any peace. After my visit with the six men, the deputy in charge of this section stopped me and asked, “Chaplain, why do you even bother to visit these guys – they are lost, there’s no way back for them – there are other guys here finding their way to God, why don’t you spend more time with them – why waste your time here with these guys?” I could only think of a five word response – they are the lost sheep!
Action of the Day
So how do we live this?
First, ask yourself: Who in your life is the “lost sheep”? It may be a child who no longer believes. A friend who’s isolated. A spouse caught in anger or addiction. Jesus is inviting us not only to trust we can be found, but to be the kind of people who help others be found.
That means we need to love without judging. We need to reach out without waiting to be asked. And we need to pray—fervently—for the courage to go after those who feel far from the flock.
Second, if you feel like the lost sheep—come home. Don’t let guilt or shame keep you from the mercy of God. This Gospel tells you plainly: God is already searching for you. And He rejoices—not with scolding, but with singing—when you turn back to Him.
Finally, for all of us: Let us ask God to give us the heart of the shepherd—a heart that doesn’t settle for 99%, but aches for the one that’s missing. Because that’s how God loves. That’s how He loves you. May we be bear that same love this week—to seek the lost, to carry them with joy, and to rejoice when even one soul returns home.
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