The lost sheep and the lost shepherd

WE are familiar with the parable of the lost sheep that

holds so many precious lessons for us. (cfr Lk 15,1-7) We should try

to be that shepherd who was willing to leave behind 99 faithful sheep

to look after the one who went astray and got lost.

  

            We can imagine what that shepherd went through to look for

that sheep. For a sheep to get lost can mean that it went to another

area where it and the other sheep should not go. And so the shepherd

must have explored some unfamiliar places to find it. It’s not an easy

job at all, but he persisted and succeeded in the end.

  

            That parable concluded with the assertion that “there will

be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over

ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Lk 15,7)

What a heartwarming reassurance we get from this parable!

  

            But what it somehow glossed over is the fact that God, who

is personified by the shepherd, is the one who initiates the search.

The sinner, who is personified by the lost sheep, just waits to be

found.

  

            Is it not a consoling reality that before we, as sinners,

can ask for forgiveness, God already is ready to offer us forgiveness?

We should never be afraid to ask for forgiveness that is readily

given. Let’s never delay in asking pardon. Let’s not waste time

lamenting and feeling bad because of our sins. We are told that God’s

delight is to forgive us always.

  

            But these days, with what we can see around, it would seem

that we have to revise a little this parable of the lost sheep.

Instead of just one sheep getting lost, the usual thing that we can

see is that only a few sheep are faithful and the great majority, the

99 of the 100, seem to be the lost sheep.

  

            For sure we need more than just one good shepherd to do

the searching. The problem is that if most of the sheep are the ones

lost, it can also mean that the shepherd who is supposed to take care

of them could also be the one who is lost.

  

            In this case, we conjure up that gospel passage of the

blind leading the blind. (cfr Mt 15,14) If we look around, we get

reason to think that indeed we have quite a number of blind guides and

lost shepherds.

  

            We have leaders and people of authority, whether in the

spiritual or religious sphere, or in the other areas like family,

politics, business, etc., who, instead of being good examples to the

others, are scandalizing many people.

  

            This is now a great challenge to face. Not only do we have

a growing number of lost sheep. We also have lost shepherds. This is

truly a very challenging predicament! Just the same, there is always

hope. God is always around and will always provide us with the

necessary means to overcome whatever problems and crises we suffer in

this life.

  

            We just have to go back to him and encourage others to do

the same. All the means for our redemption are already given and in

abundance! And let’s do our best to help in resolving this problem. We

have to start with our own selves before we can be of any help to the

others.