Lost Sheep

Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.
Lk.15:6

Jesus tells the story of a lost sheep being found to illustrate the joy in heaven when a single sinner is saved.

Who among us can't identify with the image of a lost sheep being brought home on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd. But I think there is a wider message from Jesus here. He wants us, the Church, to be good shepherds, out searching for lost sheep and on finding them, to bring them home.

The reality today is that it is the ninety-nine who have drifted off into the wilds and are lost, leaving one sheep in the penfold. We are very good at stroking the wool of that one sheep. We have programs galore to feed and coddle him. Searching for the lost ninety-nine? Not our strength. 

The Church is the one organisation whose primary reason for existing is for the benefit of its non-members. If our parishes aren't making evangelisation (sorry to use the 'e' word) the main focus of all activity then we are failing the Great Commission and are disobedient to Jesus' very clear command. We tend to leave that to the 'missionary priests and nuns'.

Yikes! This is all a bit negative from me. 

There is good news. Some parishes are moving from maintenance to mission. My job is work for my parish being one of them.

Saint Paul the evangelist, please pray for us.