Gospel Reading: Mt 18:12-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Reflection
ONE OF THEM GOES ASTRAY
The parable teaches us how much God rejoices more over a sinner who repents than over many who do not need repentance. Thus, God treats each one of us with deep love and care, and God wills that we return to him if we at a certain point go astray.
The world, however, seems to think the opposite way. It does not “bother” to seek the lost one as long as the “majority” is safe. Somehow, the individual is subordinated to the many: his or her real personal worth is not that important. At times we even “sacrifice” a number of people if only to attain the “common good.”
Not so with God. God loves and values each one of us, and God is willing to leave the “ninety-nine” if only to save the lost one. What a great God we have!
“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (Lk 15:7).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.