Sheep

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Sheep

Lost     Found

Straying     Awakening     Recognizing

One Sinner Who Repented

Saved

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 15: 1 to 7

As Jesus was talking many who were tax collectors and sinners gathered to hear Him. 

The scribes and the Pharisees were upset at this and said, "This man associates with sinners and even eats with them!"

Jesus shared this parable with them:

"If you had a hundred sheep and one was missing, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine and go find the one that was lost? When you found the one that was missing, you would be filled with so much joy that you would put it on your shoulders and carry it home. 

"When you arrived home, you would call all your friends and neighbors together and invite them to rejoice with you because you have found the sheep that was lost. 

"It will be the same in heaven. There will be more joy over the one sinner who repents than the ninety-nine who have no need to repent."

Reflection

The sheep goes off from the flock. It's trying to find a different way. Maybe that sheep is tired of being with the others.

We can all relate. There are times when we want to chart our own path away from everyone else. We need some "alone" time.

This can be very helpful for us but it can also lead us to become too self centered and selfish. This is where sin can enter in. We can ignore the needs of others, refuse to listen to them, and be filled with pride. 

It is in moments like this that one person reaching out to us can make a big difference in our lives by shepherding us. We can see this on a sports team.

One of the greatest baseball players of all time, Willie Mays, started his professional career with a huge slump (one hit in his first 26 at bats). He was discouraged and thought that maybe he wasn't ready for the major leagues.

His manager, Leo Durocher, reached out to him, encouraged him, and told him that he was not going back to the minors. He stuck with him like the shepherd who carried the sheep home on his shoulders.

Sometimes we can be criticized for hanging out with the "wrong"people. Maybe the people have a different skin color or speak with an accent. 

"Don't you know that we shouldn't be seen with them. They are not our type of people."

When we hear that, we can wonder what Jesus would think. Aren't we all part of one family? Aren't we all brothers and sisters?

When one of us is hurting or feeling down or making some poor decisions, aren't we all called to support and encourage that person?

Jesus shows us the way in this passage from Luke: reach out to those who are lost. When someone repents and turns away from a selfish way of acting, welcome that person back and celebrate with her or him and with the whole community.

The lost has been found!

Rejoice!

1. Have you ever reached out to someone who was lost?

2. Has someone helped you when you were lost?

3. Have you ever been criticized for hanging out with the "wrong" people?

4. What do you feel when you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)