Extravagant Love

 

 Matthew 18: 12-14

Seeking and Finding the Lost Sheep

¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Most of us are not shepherds, yet the image of a shepherd leaving his flock to find one lost sheep still inspires us and gives us confidence that no one can or should be lost forever, for God in his extravagant, immeasurable love will do all he can to bring the lost one back to the flock We might doubt, fret and fear that there is no hope, if we find ourselves or someone else far from the 99, but this story illustrates that all that is unnecessary, for God knows and loves all of us and will do all he can to bring us back into the fold, into his loving arms. Let us live with confidence and trust in his extravagant love.

Bro. Rene 

Good and gracious God, like the shepherd who sought out the lost sheep, you sought us out when we were lost to sin and doubt. For this we thank and glorify you. As we continue along the journey of life, we pray for the strength to follow you unreservedly, and if we do stray from the path, for the wisdom to recognize your voice when you come to carry us home. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

 Br. James Walters, C.S.C.