“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?” – Mt 18:12-14
God does not want a single one of his little ones to be lost.
In today’s Gospel, God’s concern is to save everyone, without exception. He is the Father who, in His infinite love as Creator, wants to grant salvation to each and every one of us, and especially to the little ones.
The little one is compared to a sheep that has gone astray. The shepherd does not hesitate to leave the other ninety-nine sheep on the mountain to search for the one gone astray. If he finds it, he rejoices for it more than the others who have not gone astray. This is the love of a Father who loves all his children; not all in the same way, but each one uniquely.
The little one still needs paternal support to grow in humanity and in his life of faith. He is the very symbol of our human fragility, which calls for God’s grace and intervention.
As children of the same Father, let us allow ourselves to be accompanied by God’s paternal and maternal love so that we may finally hope to live with him for all eternity.
God, our Father, You love us so much that You come to seek us out even when we are lost. Have mercy on our wanderings and grant us the strength of faith to return to the pasture of Your divine mercy.
Brother Marc Kabwita Mufuka, CFX