‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
luke 15:6
Reflection
Jesus poses a question in his parable to the scribes and Pharisees about losing one of a hundred sheep and going after it until the lost sheep is found. When the sheep is found, it is placed on the person’s shoulders and there is much rejoicing because the sheep has been found. Jesus then says that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven for the one sinner who repents versus the other ninety-nine righteous people who do not need repentance.
Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In this Gospel, we experience the immense love that comes from Jesus’ heart. How overjoyed he is at one repentant sinner – that should give us hope. No matter how lost we have become or might become in our lives, if we repent and turn back towards Jesus, he is waiting with open arms and a heart full of love.
Our true resting place is in Jesus’ heart, where we are always surrounded by him, never lacking anything. In this life, we struggle towards that goal, falling short of reaching it because of our sin. But through the sacraments and commitment to Christ, we can still experience the fire of Jesus’ love for us here on earth. He is waiting for you to give him your whole heart, even in its brokenness. For that is when he will transform it and there will much rejoicing – the Good Shepherd bringing his lost sheep home.
Saint of the Day
St. Cyril of Alexandria: died AD 444
“Above all, let your faith be true and sincere and completely without reproach.”
Letter 1, Letters 1-50 by St. Cyril
The Healing Word 