Prayer: O Jesus, come and find me.
Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.)
Context:
This parable is closely connected to the prodigal Son parable. A hundred sheep was a medium sized flock. The shepherd must have been poor and unable to pay a helper. Matthew’s gospel stresses the shepherd’s unwearied search and his great joy.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
Jesus said to his disciples, “What do you think of this? A man had a hundred sheep and one of them went astray. Does he not leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the one? When he finds it, he rejoices more for the one than for the ninety-nine who did not go astray.
Even so, it is not my Father’s will. My Father in heaven does not want even one of the little ones to perish.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- To leave ninety nine sheep in the desert is not a rational act. The shepherd thinks with his heart not his head.
- He is alone and does not want to lose the sheep.
- His joy is greater than having the others.
- This is not a temporary finding. The sheep is a symbol of heaven and an eternal union.
- This is exactly the Father’s plan, what he always wanted.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- God, I am precious to you. Your saints called you “mad”, in your unreasonable love for me.
- Search for me, Jesus, even as I keep wandering.
- I will stop running away and let you find me.
- O God, your joy will not be complete until our union is forever.
- You want me with you. That is your plan.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
- I will stop running from God so he can find me more quickly.
- I will recall those special moments when God found me.
Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation)
There will be rejoicing among the angels.