Jesus was highly criticized by the Pharisees and scribes for he welcomed and ate with sinners. Jesus came for the sinners, the poor, the weak and the oppressed. He likened the sinners and the poor to the lost sheep. The Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and looked for the one that wandered off.
Our Lord waits and gets us out of the trap when we go astray. How often does the Lord get us back? We cannot seem to count the many times he has done so. Contemplate on how it feels to be back on his shoulders again. Look at his countenance as he gazes back at you, listen to his heartbeat as he carries you, feel his loving touch and embrace. What does it feel to be the lost one?
In a similar manner, what is our attitude toward people who are weak, powerless and “go astray”? Who are the weak and powerless in our home, in our workplace and in our community? Are there difficult ones who have become burden to us? For some of us, it would be better not to worry and bother ourselves with people such as these. We have more important things to do than spend times with that one lost sheep. But to live with the heart and mind of Christ would mean breaking out of our comfort zone and helping others recover from their weaknesses.
Are you ready to stop and take the extra step? Are you ready to welcome and rejoice with the coming back of the lost sheep?
